BSc (Hons) Pre-Registration Nursing Curriculum 2009

Transcription

1 Facult of Health BSc (Hons) Pre-Registration Nursing Curriculum 2009 Leading to eligibilit to appl for Registration with the Nursing and Midwifer Council PROGRAMME HANDBOOK 2009/ 2010

2 If ou require an part of this publication in larger print, or an alternative format, please contact Programme Administration at:- Facult of Health Universit of Plmouth Drake Circus Plmouth. PL4 8AA Telephone number: or Facult of Health Peninsula Allied Health Centre Universit College Plmouth St Mark & St John Derriford Road Plmouth. PL6 8BH Telephone number: Facult of Health Universit of Plmouth Knowledge Spa Roal Cornwall Hospital Truro. TR1 3HD Telephone number: Facult of Health Universit of Plmouth Somerset Centre Wellington Road Taunton. TA1 5YD Telephone number:

3 Important: please note Dear Student If ou have a disabilit The Universit is ver supportive of students with disabilities, and ear on-ear we are making adjustments to assist students with special needs. It ma be that we have alread put in place changes which will assist ou but unless we know what our needs might be, we cannot guarantee that that will be the case. If we can identif our needs sufficientl far in advance of when ou intend to start a course at the Universit, we are better able to put in place appropriate arrangements or, if there is a health and safet issue or an issue about the expectations of students on the course, to advise ou on alternative options. However, we ma not be able to do so if we do not know in advance. If ou have not told us about our disabilit Please do contact the Universit s Disabilit Assist Services on Plmouth to discuss our needs. While we are making reasonable adjustments to our provision, we ma not be able to meet our individual needs if we do not have the opportunit to assess them in advance, and that could impact negativel on our experience on the course or even our abilit to take up our place. If ou have told us about our disabilit You ma be asked for additional information or invited to attend an interview with Disabilit Assist Services. This is in order that we can properl assess our individual needs and ensure that we have the best possible chance of meeting them. Please do provide an information requested and come in to see staff if asked to do so, since otherwise ou and we - could find ourselves in a position in which it is difficult or even unsafe for ou to take up our place. So please tell us about an disabilit even if ou do not think it will affect ou while ou are at the Universit and respond positivel to an requests for further details or for an information interview. If ou do not do so, ou ma find ourself unable to take up our place or unable to complete the course because we have not been able adequatel to meet our particular needs. 2

4 ALL STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE: DISCLAIMER All students undertaking programmes delivered b the Facult of Health are reminded that an alteration to Universit documentation, including practice portfolios, involving forger/falsification of a mentors comments or signature/initialling will be investigated. This investigation could lead to disciplinar action, which ma lead to a student s being unable to achieve professional registration. All the information in this Handbook is correct at the time of printing. Courses are regularl reviewed and updated so details ma change. Occasionall, a module listed in the Handbook ma be replaced or withdrawn. The Universit of Plmouth is proud of its teaching and research and it undertakes all reasonable steps to provide educational services in the manner set out in this Handbook and in an documents referred to within it. It does not, however, guarantee the provision of such services. Should industrial action or circumstances beond the control of the Universit interfere with its abilit to provide educational services, the Universit undertakes to use all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to those services. 3

5 CONTENTS Section Content Page Students with Special Requirements Disclaimer Contents Useful Information Information about the Programme Academic Regulations Exceptions to Regulations Classification of Honours Degree Stepping off Points Withdrawal Programme Structure Peninsula Health Collaboration Interprofessional Learning Teaching and Learning on the BSc APEL Mandator Experience The Learning Environment Assessment of Practice Practice Portfolio On-Going Achievement Record Placement Learning Guidelines for the Management of Practice Experience Emploment Law Assessment Procedures Procedure in the Event of Failure Repeat with Attendance Appeals Student Support Information and Learning Services Students with Special Needs Librar Information Computing Services Careers Service Student Union Additional Policies and Guidelines Personal Details Attendance Polic Authorised Absences

6 Negotiated Absences Unforeseen Circumstances Non-authorised Absences Make-Up Time Timesheets Extenuating Circumstances Financial Support Travel Insurance Smoking Polic Equal Opportunities Uniform Polic Accident Forms Incidents in the Clinical Area Unsafe/Inappropriate Professional Behaviour Occupational Health Pastoral and Counselling Services Pastoral Support Counselling Services Chaplainc Polic for Health Care Students on Norovirus Social Networking Sites Student Liaison, Evaluation and Representation Student Representatives Programme Committee Feedback and Evaluation Research Appendices 47 1 Advice Regarding Pregnanc 48 2 Occupational Health Services 50 3 Pharmacolog 56 4 Information Regarding Practice Placements 58 5 Placement Development Teams 59 6 Student Complaint Procedure 60 5

7 USEFUL INFORMATION Universit Registration Number Personal Tutor Name: Office: Office Tel: Programme Lead Name: Office: Office Tel: Programme Administrator Name: Office:, Office Tel: Programme Admin Tel: / Other Useful Numbers Name: Office: Office Tel: 6

8 1. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAMME Award Title: Successful completion of the programmes leads to the award of either: BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, BSc (Hons) Child Health or BSc (Hons) Mental Health These are academic qualifications that will enable ou to register as a nurse or practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifer Council. Development of the award to meet these dual goals has been through ongoing collaboration between academic staff, clinical staff, practice development leads, student representatives and the Strategic Health Authorit and professional bodies. Programme Accredited b: Nursing and Midwifer Council (NMC). In addition the programme is mapped against learning outcomes across Southern England Consortium (SEEC) descriptors, NMC Criteria and Qualit Assurance Agenc (QAA) Benchmark statements, NMC Essential Skills Clusters and the Knowledge and Skills Framework. Copies of this mapping are available, on request, from Programme Administration. 1.1 Academic Regulations This programme of stud is governed b Peninsula Health Collaboration (PHC) and Universit of Plmouth Regulations. You ma refer to these regulations at some time during our programme of stud. These regulations are updated on a regular basis and are therefore kept centrall at the following website under rules and regulations: Assessment Regulations Complaints Appeals Examination and Assessment Offences Regulations on Late Coursework and Extenuating Circumstances In addition to academic regulations, students on health professional programmes of stud are also subject to codes of professional behaviour. These relate to the honest, integrit and professional behaviour expected of ou when ou become a registered nurse. A breach of an academic regulation ma therefore have more serious consequences for ou as a student on this programme as it could affect our future registration. All students undertaking programmes delivered b the Facult of Health are reminded that an alteration to Universit documentation, including practice portfolios, involving forger/falsification of a mentors comments or signature/initialling will be investigated. This investigation could lead to disciplinar action, which ma lead to a student being unable to achieve professional registration. 7

9 1.2 Exceptions to Regulations: This degree ma NOT be awarded unless all the requirements for the award are met. The normal Universit Regulations in respect of progression and assessment are followed with specific exceptions, due to the structure and professional nature of the programme, as noted below: a) The programme is exempted from the automatic compensation rule with no compensation at an stage. b) All practice based assessments will be awarded a Pass or Fail grade. c) Successful completion of a module is defined as the achievement of a pass in both theor and practice d) Students ma not be awarded the degree unless the have successfull completed all the elements that contribute to the award e) Owing to the professional nature of the programme, students will be permitted TWO attempts at practice elements of the programme but will be permitted THREE attempts at theoretical components. This will appl to all stages of the degree programme. f) The degree ma onl be awarded to students who have successfull completed all elements designated as contributing to the award. g) The maximum duration of the course will be five ears full time in line with NMC requirements. The NMC specif that all students must meet the outcomes of the Common Foundation Programme before progressing to the branch programme. Therefore an further assessment attempts after September re-sits must be taken as repeat modules in the next academic ear. If a repeat with attendance is a bursar will not normall be available. Award Requirements On completion of all stages of the programme students will be conferred with the award from the Universit of Plmouth of the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, BSc (Hons) Child Health or BSc (Hons) Mental Health. You will also be eligible to register on the appropriate part of the Nursing and Midwifer Council Professional Register. 1.3 Classification of Honours Degree The award is classified according to the Universit Regulations: Aggregate percentage mark Each module in stages two and three is awarded a mark out on 100. The final aggregate mark is calculated b appling a scale factor of 0.3 to the marks for stage 2 and a scale factor of 0.7 to the marks for stage 3. The marks for each module are multiplied b the appropriate scaling factor and added together. The resulting aggregate mark is converted to a percentage of the maximum mark obtainable the aggregate percentage mark. Classification will be based initiall on the aggregate percentage mark. If our aggregate percentage mark falls within the boundaries of the classifications defined below, ou are entitled to that award. Classification Bands 8

10 First Class Honours 70% or above Second Class Honours, Upper Division 60% - 69% Second Class Honours, Lower Division 50% - 59% Third Class Honours 40% - 49% 1.4 Stepping off points in the programme Students who successfull complete 120 academic credits in stage one of the programme and are unable to continue or do not wish to do so, will be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education. Students who successfull complete 240 academic credits at stages 1 and 2 of the programme who are unable or do not wish to continue, will be eligible for the award of Diploma in Higher Education. Such a student will not meet the requirements for Registration with the Nursing and Midwifer Council. Students who complete the 3 rd ear but are not eligible to be registered with the NMC for whatever reason will be awarded the Diploma in Higher Education. Students who had stepped off the programme at the end of the first or second stage will be eligible to resume the programme provided that this allows for completion within a 5 ear period from date of commencement. You must notif the programme administrator in good time as return will be subject to a place being available and review b the Programme Lead. If ou have been out of the programme for six months or more an occupational health check and a (CRB) police check will be. 1.5 Withdrawal from the programme The Facult of Health recognises that some students ma wish to withdraw from their studies before completion of the programme. A sstem for support is in place to assist ou in considering the options and ou should discuss this initiall with our personal tutor. Students who withdraw from the programme must put their intentions in writing and will be asked to attend an exit interview and complete an exit questionnaire. The following identifies the date on which ou will be deemed as having withdrawn from the programme. Academic Failure 10 das from the publication of results from the Award Assessment Board. Disciplinar Decision The date of decision from a disciplinar hearing. Student Withdrawal Date of receipt of letter of withdrawal from ou / Date of personal tutors exit interview with ou Withdrawal b the student without notification The Programme Lead or personal tutor will write to ou offering an exit interview and a repl-b date. If no response is received b the repl-b date then that will be taken as the date of withdrawal. Bursar The bursar will cease from the date of withdrawal. 9

11 2. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 2.1 Peninsula Health Collaboration Inter-professional Collaboration The three-ear modular programme consists of a Stage One ear, where ou will stud with other health professionals, with ears 2 and 3 forming discipline specific pathwas. The programme is divided into 3 stages that equate to three academic ears in the full time programme. Learning and teaching will take place over the academic ear in either an inter-professional or branch specific group at the Universit, or on placement. Inter-professional collaboration is important for enhancing the qualit of health care. When ou qualif ou will be working as part of a multi-professional team. Depending on the specialism ou choose to work in, the mix of colleagues working together will var, but nonetheless there will be professions in that setting. In current health and social care practice, the importance of a multi professional approach is emphasised because it means that client needs are better met if those professionals involved in their care are working not just alongside each other, but collaborativel and inter-professionall as well. As ou are going to be working with other professions in the future, it makes sense for ou to share some of our learning with students from other professions in preparation for when ou are qualified. Shared learning takes place throughout the three ears of this degree programme, and is an integral part of our professional development and final qualification. The Universit of Plmouth works in partnership with other Higher Education Institutions in the region and the South West Strategic Health Authorit, to provide multi-professional and inter-professional curricula to a wide variet of student health professionals. This unique and innovative partnership is called the Peninsula Health Collaboration (PHC). You will be studing the shared curriculum with students from the Universit College Plmouth of St Mark and St John, (Speech and Language Therap) and other students from the Universit of Plmouth (Podiatr, Dietetics, Midwifer, Occupation Therap, and Phsiotherap). There are two aspects of campus-based interprofessional education within the degree programmes. These are multi-professional or shared learning and interprofessional learning. Multi-professional (shared) learning is when ou learn about particular subject areas ou have in common together, rather than in separate professional groups. The multi-professional approach should help ou to understand and appreciate that there is a huge amount of underpinning foundation knowledge and skills shared b all health care professionals, and thus provide ou with a common language with which to communicate with colleagues from other disciplines in the future. Inter-professional learning has an added dimension, and is about greater interaction to learn together, especiall about each other s roles and potential contribution to client care, and to health, social care, and education service provision. You will find that each part of the shared curriculum has aspects of both multi-professional and inter-professional learning. 10

12 The exact definition of these terms is less important than the experience of learning to work with colleagues from other professions right at the start of our future career! There will also be some opportunities for inter-professional learning in practice placements. However, the specific nature of these will depend on the tpe of placement ou undertake. In ear one, the majorit of teaching block one is multi-professional, and comprises three shared modules. These modules are HEAA116 Evidence Based Professional Practice, HEAA137 Pschosocial Studies for Health Care Practice and HEAA 119 Health-care Bioscience. A further four modules, HEAA 139 The Context of Contemporar Health Care, HEAA 141 Communication and Engagement Skills, HEAA 142 Foundations of Health and Social Care and HEAA 140 Applied Clinical Skills are shared between Adult, Child and Mental Health nursing programmes Inter-professional Learning (IPL) will be developed in the practice setting and IPL learning outcomes are incorporated into our practice portfolio. In ears two and three, two Management and Leadership modules are shared with a specific focus on inter-professional learning. Further modules are also shared with the nursing and midwifer programmes. IPL continues within the practice setting. Here ou will experience working as part of a multi-disciplinar team. You will learn to plan, implement and evaluate care pathwas, integrating our profession specific knowledge and skills with our inter-professional ones. In ear three, ou will be using an interprofessional approach to plan and evaluate effective services b using appropriate standards and protocols of care, and developing our management and leadership skills. 2.2 Interprofessional Learning In addition to developing our experience of other branches of nursing in ear 1, ou will be required to demonstrate inter-professional learning in ears 1, 2 and 3. These learning outcomes will form part of the assessed learning outcomes in practice for specific modules which have a practice component. You will also be required to reflect on specific aspects of inter-professional learning. Clinical Tutorials attached to modules which have a practice component will be used to explore inter-professional practice and provide opportunities for further interprofessional learning to take place 11

13 3. Teaching and Learning on the BSc Nursing Programmes The BSc (Hons) Nursing Programmes are based upon a fundamental belief that the process of learning will be most effective if it is student centred and ou take responsibilit for our own learning. A variet of facilitative methods will be used. Ke Lectures will form an integral part of teaching introducing ou to new material and set the scene for future learning. The make use of exiting new technolog for interactive satellite deliver from our shared facilities at Portland Square. Lecture notes and interactive discussion will also be available through the new universit student portal Tulip and the current managed learning environment EMILY. Seminars and workshops are used to enable ou to exchange further information and ideas. Under the facilitation of a seminar/ workshop leader and following appropriate preparation, ou will be expected to question, criticall analse and evaluate and think about the topic under discussion. Working effectivel in a group is a ke skill for all health professionals and seminars allow ou to demonstrate good team working. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an approach to learning in which a problem is used as a trigger for acquiring new knowledge. The approach encourages learning through experience and reinforces existing knowledge. Most students sa the find PBL a challenge at first but enjo this wa of learning because it lets ou learn in the best wa for our individual learning stle and it also leads to the development of lifelong learning skills. In addition b examining case studies and scenarios, and using a problem-solving process to address patient and client problems, it is similar to the wa most care is planned and delivered in health care practice. It is a process which has much broader learning outcomes than traditional was of teaching. PBL allows ou to focus on issues of practical relevance, to investigate pertinent theor, and in the process to develop transferable skills of group working, leadership, presentation and critical thinking. PBL has been endorsed as an effective wa to obtain competent professional practitioners possessing qualities deemed important for nurses such as autonom, active decision making, flexibilit, independence, leadership and collaboration. As some cohorts are large in number, ou might be divided into smaller groups which will be facilitated b a tutor. Students will be presented with stimulus material tpicall in the form of a scenario. The students clarif the concepts; define and analse problems, and decide how to proceed. Information is then gathered outside the classroom, and was of presenting the material identified. At the agreed time, students return with information, and, using general information, decide how the specific problem (in the original scenario) can be addressed. Highl Directed Stud Periods of planned stud which normall take place outside of organised lectures. 12

14 Learning Profile You have responsibilit for our own learning and for recording our achievements. Throughout the programme ou will build a Portfolio containing evidence that demonstrates the integration of practical and theoretical achievements. The Practice Portfolio in Stage 1 is a section of our programme portfolio. B establishing good practice in our pre-registration period, maintaining a portfolio of learning will become part of our professional activit. Reflective Discussions These discussions will enable ou to look at incidents that occur during learning, analse and learn from them. The will be structured, facilitated discussions which will help ou to develop our analtical and problem solving skills. Lecturing staff are allocated specific academic roles to assist ou in our studies. Some of the ke roles are described below A module leader has overall academic responsibilit for their designated modules across all Facult sites. You will be informed of their name and location prior to commencing each module on our programme. A module teacher is the lecturer who delivers and organises the module at our local Facult site. A module teacher ma also be the module leader. The module team consists of the module leader and the site-based module teachers. The module team also includes others e.g. practising educators. A mentor is a qualified nurse who will support our learning in practice. At the beginning of each practice placement ou will be allocated a specific mentor who will monitor, record, and assess progress in practice. Literac and numerac Numerac skills are developed in ear one with the use of an interactive on line numerac package. HEAA 140, Applied Clinical Skills assesses our abilit to carr out calculations associated with medicines, nutrition and fluids. During ears two and three ou will have further opportunit to develop skills related to numerac within branch specific modules and these skills are assessed within these modules and in practice Literac is developed in conjunction with Learning Development materials and these are introduced into shared modules in the Common Foundation Programme. You also have access to online resources of the Universit s Learning Development Team. During ears two and three ou will be offered further literac support to write at stage two and stage three through links with Learning Development and writing workshops offered in the induction week. Module tutors will also support ou in assignment writing. Literac is assessed through written assignments and criteria are applied using the Facult of Health Assess 2008 guidance for marking. Clinical Skills teaching takes place both in the classroom and the clinical skills laborator and is facilitated b academic teachers and clinical demonstrators. It will incorporate demonstrations, role pla and skill rehearsal and it provides ou with the opportunit to develop our clinical skills in a safe environment. 13

15 E- Learning all students on registration will have access to the student portal, Tulip and to Blackboard which give access to information and allows interactive teaching and learning between students and academics. There are links to course materials as well as e mail, contacts, calendar and tasks. The programme will make full use of Blackboard, as well as encouraging participation in the Facult of Health satellite seminar sessions, and the use of video conferencing facilities when appropriate. Further access to other on-line material available on the portal is also encouraged such as learning support material. At the beginning of the Programme ou will be allocated an address. You should check our mail regularl as this form of communication will be used to conve important information relating to our programme, modules and placements. Tutorials are also offered b module teachers on a group basis to enhance peer support and address module learning outcomes. Tutorial support You will be allocated a named personal tutor on registration for three ears of the programme. The will be our first line of contact and support.. Personal tutors are there to help ou with an problems regarding our academic progress, or with a personal problem that is affecting our participation in the course. You should see our personal tutor at regular intervals. The are there to help ou reflect on and review our own academic progress and to provide guidance if ou encounter an academic or personal difficulties which prevent ou from gaining the most from the course. Tutorials are often given in groups where both peer and academic support is available. You should: Organise our time effectivel to meet the academic requirements of our course. Arrange mutuall convenient tutorial sessions. Personal tutors have a wide range of commitments and it is recommended that ou use and other approaches suggested b the module teacher to arrange this. Agree with the personal tutor the objectives for their tutorials. Deal with unforeseen circumstances, e.g. personal tutor s sickness, it is our responsibilit to re-organise another tutorial. If the circumstances become protracted for example a long-term sickness problem, the Programme leader will advise on alternative arrangements. Not expect excessive time. It is anticipated that most tutorials will not exceed 30 minutes and will not normall exceed one hour per module. Bring as much information with ou as possible to the tutorial e.g. essa plan, rough draft, areas of concern etc. Realise that support from the personal tutor for the submission of written assignments will normall be available up until one week prior to the published submission date. After this deadline advice can onl be given on matters of general stud, assessment preparation and pastoral issues. Module teachers and PBL facilitators will also be available for specific module support. The role of academic staff is complemented b mentors who have a role in the support of learning whilst ou are undertaking practice placements. 14

16 This role will be supported b practice educators in some areas. Academic staff linked to placement areas will be another source of support during placement learning Clinical tutorials form part of module deliver and ou will be encouraged to reflect on practice in a structured wa to enhance links between theor and practice. Practical skills teaching will be facilitated b lecturers and clinical staff. These sessions will provide the opportunit for development of skills based on theoretical knowledge and contemporar evidence. Skills based material to develop and support practice will be delivered b use of multi-media resources, clinical demonstrations, role pla skills sessions and group supervision sessions. These skills will be enhanced through the utilisation of a self practice/self reflection (SP/SR) approach, whereb ou will be encouraged to emplo appropriate techniques on ourself and colleagues and reflect upon their use. This will be full supported through the use of the student electronic managed learning environment, which will provide ou and our colleagues with anonmised feedback concerning our use of the techniques, a developing list of frequentl asked questions (FAQs) concerning application of techniques in practice, and a discussion page to enhance practice and mutual support. Self-practice, Self-reflection will enable the links between theor and practice to be full explored and provide the foundation for reflective skills-based learning thus enabling confidence and competence. Practice placement learning is supported b mentors in practice who are suitabl prepared, experienced practitioners responsible for guiding, supporting and assessing students in practice. You will be allocated a mentor for each practice placement experience. Mentors are supported b Practice Development Teams consisting of both academics and practitioners under the remit of the Practice Qualit Development Division of the Facult of Health. Personal Development Planning is an important part of our programme which supports the development of skills for life- long learning that lead to improved opportunities for emploment. You will achieve this through our portfolio work, reflecting on our learning achieved and planning for our further learning needs. You will also be guided b module teachers and our personal tutor about both academic and professional learning outcomes. Your Ongoing Achievement Record in Practice (OAR) will be used to demonstrate learning in practice though out the programme and will be used as a basis for planning further learning. 3.1 Recognition of previous academic stud or experience (AP (E) L) The structure of the programme allows flexibilit for ou to enter and exit the programme at appropriate and relevant points using rigorous Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP (E) L) procedures. AP (E) L is an academic term and generall means giving ou academic credit and recognition for previous academic stud and practice experienced at the appropriate level. (For further information please contact the AP (E) L Administrator at apelhsw@plmouth.ac.uk). 15

17 3.2 Mandator experiences within the programme Statutor and Mandator Skills training is a prerequisite for professional practice and ou are required to attend annual training sessions as specified below. These sessions ma form part of module deliver or ma be found outside of modules within an introduction period or before practice. Year one Year two Year three Moving and Manual Handling Techniques HEAA 140 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 Fire Safet and Prevention Introduction r 1 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 Basic Life support Skills HEAA 140 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 Mental Capacit Act 2005 HEAA 142 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 Safeguarding Children HEAA 142 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults HEAA 139/ HEAA 142 Introduction ear 2 Introduction ear 3 In addition ou will be required to attend a general session on: Conflict resolution and Equalit and Diversit Attendance at these sessions will be recorded on our student record. It is our responsibilit to make known to the relevant member of academic staff an session that ou ma have missed, furthermore it is our responsibilit to ensure ou attend the rescheduled sessions. 16

18 4. THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT The main learning environment for ou as a student of Nursing will be in Plmouth, on the main campus site of the Universit of Plmouth. All students entering the first ear of the programme will be based on the Plmouth campus. The first three modules of the first ear will be shared on the Plmouth main campus with other health care students. Before entr to the programme ou will have been asked to make a choice of area in which our placements will be provided. Placement learning will be gained in the health service and other providers across the South West. Ever attempt will be made to place ou as closel and convenientl as possible within our chosen area. However due to the large numbers of students and the limited availabilit of placements, and in order to provide ou with a breadth of experience, ou can and will be expected to travel across the area of choice. 5. ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICE For each placement ou will be given practice documents that ou must complete. You will find these in our portfolio. These documents will contain both formative and summative sheets. You are encouraged to complete the formative sheets to ensure ou are progressing sufficientl and ou will submit both formative and summative sheets Summative assessments judge our competenc at certain points in the programme. You will be advised of the dates for completion of our summative assessment b the programme team (see appendix 1). The results of the summative assessments are presented to the appropriate Assessment Board at the end of each level. Competencies must be demonstrated. Your personal tutor and mentor will provide guidance throughout the process. You must pass all summative assessments of both theor and practice. Your practice mentor will continuall be assessing our performance and will be informing ou of our progress. The record of practice competences (our practice sheets) are an important part of being able to document professionall, therefore please pa careful attention to them and follow the guidelines for submission (figure 3). You are required to place a duplicated cop of all our practice assessments in our Ongoing Achievement of Practice Record (OAR): see 7.2 below) 5. 1 Practice Portfolio The purpose of the Practice Portfolio is to provide a continuous record of our professional development. Theor and practice are closel integrated and the evidence ou collect will provide opportunities for ou to identif the links between the two. Most modules have specific standards to be achieved within practice, and ou will be assessed, b our designated practice mentor, on specific performance criteria. You will gather evidence for our portfolio to demonstrate that ou have reached the required standard. 17

19 Your portfolio will include: relevant module standards to be achieved in practice reflective accounts profile of essential skills clusters evidence to support our achievement of competence assessment of practice documents record of clinical experience evidence of achievement of Cross Branch and EU learning outcomes evidence of achievement of Inter-professional Learning outcomes Members of the Programme Team will give detailed guidance regarding completion of the Practice Portfolio. 5.2 Student Ongoing Achievement of Practice Record (OAPR) You will be provided with a student Ongoing Achievement of Practice Record (OAPR) which ou will carr from placement to placement to enable mentors to view our ongoing progress. This is an important document for which ou will have overall responsibilit. Your OAPR will contain placement learning contracts for each placement, information about the placements and experiences to be gained, copies of our summative assessments in practice (purple sheets), statements of progress made b mentors in each placement and personal teacher comments. This document will be used b sign-off mentors in our final placement to make a judgement about our fitness for practice and hence registration. Specific das have been identified during the three ears of our programme for ou to meet with our personal tutor on a regular basis. This is so the can review our progress in both theor and practice and offer guidance as required as well as liaising with mentors as. 5.3 Placement Learning Placement learning forms an integral part of the programme and accounts for 50% of the learning and teaching hours available. As a result of recent developments, NMC circular 36/2007, up to 300 hrs of practice experience can take place within a simulated environment. Your attendance at skills sessions within the skills laborator will be recorded and these hours will form part of our achievement of overall practice hours Changes in health care provision have resulted in an increasingl diverse range of work environments and an emphasis on inter-professional working in health care contexts. It is therefore essential that modules contain practice learning outcomes reflecting this trend and provide the hours required for registration with the NMC. With this in mind, emphasis is placed upon our achieving the competencies specified b the Nursing and Midwifer Council and the benchmark statements for nursing produced b the Qualit Assurance Agenc for Higher Education. A Practice Portfolio will enable ou to demonstrate the breadth and depth of our clinical experience, and include assessment of the standards/criteria indicating that the proficiencies have been met. Specific Essential Skills Clusters (ESCs) which form the Skills Profile within our practice portfolio have alread been mapped to the required competencies and can be used to identif that ou have achieved the performance criteria during our practice 18

20 experiences. You can also use these (ESC) to inform our learning contracts in placement areas. Man of these competencies are generic to all professions. For example, all health professional students are required to be assessed in effective communication skills before the can register with the relevant health profession. The establishment of personal goals and outcomes in the Portfolio (a personal development plan), to aid achievement of the learning outcomes, will allow ou to begin to develop responsibilit toward our own learning in the placement environment, and to reflect on our practice. Module aims and learning outcomes will guide ou to make best use of learning opportunities. The variet of practice placements, including skills laborator work, will enable the development of transferable skills for practice as a Registered Nurse. You will be encouraged to enter into collaborative work with other health professionals in order to consolidate the inter-professional nature of the curriculum and reflect the changing nature and deliver of health care for the benefit of the individual. It is important that ou take all learning opportunities available to ou during each placement, working with our mentor to observe, work with and engage in practice with other health professionals and users and carers. Your practice placements will be managed b the Practice Qualit Development Division and ou will be placed on a line of practice to ensure that ou are able to experience a range of patient/ client care settings throughout the three ears of our programme. Practice learning outcomes can be achieved in an setting as the relate to broad principles of patient care. It will also enable ou to be informed about our personal placement plan throughout our programme. An example of placement line structure can be seen in figure 3. 19

21 Figure 1 Practice Assessment Documents The summative assessment of practice for the module must be undertaken throughout the Programme ear. The student is required to provide evidence of competence over the two placements. The learning contract will help to decide which capabilities will be undertaken in each placement. The summative documents form part of our overall practice assessment and are thus considered an aspect of professional record keeping. Please note that Practice Assessment documents will be recorded as FAIL if an of the sections are not completed. There are two was that ou ma fail our practice, either through non achievement of practice competence or due to poor record keeping. Full details of achieving practice competence can be found in our Programme Handbook and Portfolio and if ou have an queries ou must talk to our personal tutor. The purpose of this checklist is to act as an aide memoir, to prompt ou to complete our practice documentation full before submitting for assessment. It is our responsibilit to ensure that all documentation is full completed and submitted on time. 1 2 pieces of evidence are signed (initialled) for each of the capabilities for ever module outcome Checked 2 One of these pieces of evidence should normall be direct observation. If this is not the case, the mentor must record wh direct observation was not possible 3 The student has clearl signed and dated the completed document in the designated space 4 A placement record is completed with signatures and initials for all staff who have contributed to the practice document (including the mentor) for each module practice assessment document and included with our submission 20

22 5.4 Guidelines for the Management of Practice Experience The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all students studing the BSc (Hons) Nursing programmes have the same framework with which to gain practice experience. The are guidelines and as such, some students, in negotiation with their personal tutor and practice placements, ma be working with different patterns at an particular time. In this wa ou are able to take full advantage of all the learning opportunities during a placement to achieve our learning objectives and to undertake the summative assessment of practice. Principles You will have supernumerar status throughout our programme. This means that ou are part of the care team but extra to the staff allocated complement. You should participate in the same shifts or part of shifts as our mentor for at least 15 hours per week. Since nursing involves 24 hour care, where appropriate to the area of care, ou are expected to work shifts, and in order to experience and contribute to 24 hour care provision are encouraged to attend the hand over meetings at the beginning of the shifts. This ma include start times of 07:00 hours on some occasions. Some wards and units follow a 12 hour shift sstem and where appropriate, ou should follow this pattern. Where this is difficult, an alternative time ma be negotiated between student and mentor. You are not normall expected to work more than 75 hours per fortnight (i.e. the equivalent of 37.5 hours per week) Please note that lunch breaks whilst on practice are not included as part of our practice hours and cannot be included as hours on our timesheets. Weekend shifts and night dut are part of the 24 hour care provision and ou are encouraged to work these shifts. However, ou should not normall work more than two weekends in an four week period during the programme. For some experiences, on call arrangements ma be more appropriate. The aim is to provide ou with a realistic experience of care, which involves more than a 9 5 da. As a guide approximatel 14 shifts incorporating an on call or night dut experience would be expected in a 3 ear programme, and this would be recorded in the student experience record sheets which are submitted to Programme Administration. You are responsible for notifing our placement and the Facult of Health Administration if ou are unable to attend due to sickness. You and our practice area will be given a list of stud das where ou do not have to attend placement. These das are timetabled and our practice hours are calculated accordingl. 21

23 You must not take additional stud das unless the are specificall granted b the universit and our placement area is informed directl, an additional das that ou take as stud time will be classed as absent and ou will consequentl be down on our required hours to register with the NMC. If ou feel that our placement allocation is a cause for concern for personal reasons, e.g. our own GP practice, ou should discuss the situation with our personal tutor so that alternative arrangements can be made. You should contact our practice area a week before ou are due to commence placement to make an arrangements and meet our mentor if. On starting our placement ou should discuss our practice learning outcomes and assessment documents with our mentor. If ou have an concerns or issues ou feel are affecting our practice experience, ou should discuss them with our personal tutor as soon as possible to provide the best chance of addressing them allowing ou to complete our assessments. 5.5 Emploment Law A student who is on placement ma not be considered as an emploee and does not have the same rights, pursuant to emploment legislation as if the were to be treated as an emploee. Therefore in so far as an emploee might have the right to request flexible working in order to deal with post-pregnanc issues, that right does not appl to persons who are on placement. The Nursing and Midwifer Council advise that flexibilit can onl be achieved if it is available at a local level. We will as a Facult alwas do our best to be flexible and accommodate students requests, however due to the limits placed on us b the placement process, it ma not alwas be possible to do so. The Facult abides b Section 22 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 recognising that is unlawful for the responsible bod of an educational establishment to discriminate on grounds of sex. Furthermore we cannot, and indeed do not, discriminate in the terms on which it offers to admit a student, or b refusing or deliberatel omitting to accept an application, or the terms upon which a student, once admitted, is given access to facilities. 22

24 6. Assessment Procedures Assessment The learning and teaching strateg is supported b a variet of assessment modes recognising that high qualit assessment practices are an important elementou re our experience. The Universit expects assessment to assist ou in learning b: Providing appropriate feedback. Measuring the our achievements objectivel against learning outcomes. Providing a reliable and consistent basis for the recommendations for award. Assisting staff in evaluating the effectiveness of their teaching. (Universit of Plmouth assessment polic 2004) The strateg therefore helps ou to develop and progress through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding to critical analsis and evaluation of issues pertaining to professional practice. Assessment will include: Written tests Examination of practical skills in the skills laborator b Objective Structured Examinations (OSCE) Examination of practical skills in the clinical setting as clinical placement assessments Examinations Essas Reflective accounts Analsis of care Analsis of national reports/polic documents Literature reviews Clinical reviews Evaluation of health promotion activit In addition ou will be expected to build a formative portfolio. This will enable ou to develop a professional portfolio demonstrating our individual development and learning throughout the programme. This will include for example demonstration and recording of transferable skills and reflection. It will also provide opportunit for ou to record our contributions to the problem based learning, and seminar discussions. You will also be required to complete a mandator skills profile reflecting achievement of the NMC s Essential skills Clusters throughout the programme. Successful achievement in both theor and practice must be achieved in order to obtain our award. In those modules that have both a theor component and the requirement to complete a portfolio of competencies, both components must be passed for successful completion of the module. In the event of a referral or late submission of practice, the associated theoretical component will be capped at 40%. There are a set of assessment principles and policies (Assess 2009) that are followed b the Facult of Health. It is important that ou familiarise ourself with these. Assess 2009 contains the current definitive guidelines used in the Facult of Health. 23

25 You are also referred to the section on Universit Regulations. In particular please note the sections for Honours degrees in those regulations. You are also advised to familiarise ourself with those regulations relating to appeals, extenuating circumstances and academic dishonest. Further details on all specific assessments will be provided within individual module handbooks. 6.1 Procedure in the event of failure Students will be permitted TWO attempts at practice elements of the programme but will be permitted THREE attempts at theoretical components. This will appl to all stages of the degree programme. However it is important to note the following: Failure in up to 60 credits If ou fail up to 60 credits, ou will be allowed to resit / resubmit the appropriate assessment(s) as specified b the Award Assessment Board at the next available opportunit. Failure in more than 60 credits If a student fails more than 60 stage one or stage two credits, the Award Assessment Board ma, at its discretion appl an of the following: 1) require the student to repeat the failed module with attendance in the following academic ear. 2) exceptionall allow the student to resit/resubmit the appropriate assessments at the next available opportunit, based on a judgement of the student s performance and potential 3) require the student to withdraw from the programme Failure after Resit If after resits ou have still not achieved the required number of credits to complete the stage, the following procedures will be applied: Failure after resits in up to 20 credits will normall result in the Resit Award Board offering ou an extended resit which must be achieved b November. Failure after resits in more than 20 credits ou will be required to repeat the failed modules with attendance in the following academic ear. 6.2 Repeat with Attendance Students required to repeat with attendance will enrol on the new cohort and must repeat the modules outstanding with attendance meaning all lectures and module time was be attended. Where practice has been referred, students must repeat the practice in a placement where the specific outcomes can be achieved. Under normal circumstances, students are not entitled to a bursar whilst repeating with attendance. 24

26 6.3 Appeal against the decision of an Award Assessment Board You must submit our appeal b no later than 10 working das after the date of publication of the official results list (not the date of issue on our transcript). It is in our best interests to submit our appeal as soon as possible. Although the Universit will do what it can to expedite matters, there is no guarantee that our case will be resolved prior to an resit examinations. The later ou appeal, the less likel it is that ou will get a decision in time. You will be expected to complete resits/repeat with attendance as usual unless our appeal has b then been resolved and the initial decision reviewed. The Appeal Procedure The appeal procedure is onl concerned with the decisions of Assessment Boards and the assessment process which gives rise to these. You cannot use the appeal procedure to deal with problems experienced with the deliver of our course, supervisor issues or the availabilit of facilities, for example. You should use the Universities complaints procedure to pursue these issues. If, after considering our case, we believe the issues ou raise would be dealt with more appropriatel via the complaints procedure, we will advise ou on how to proceed making a compliant. More information is available from the Universit Complaints Office on Grounds for appeal The universit will onl consider an appeal where ou can produce evidence that: Assessments were not conducted in accordance with the current Assessment Regulations Some other material irregularit, related to assessment, has occurred Appeals against academic or professional judgement will not be considered. Disappointment with our results if our marks were accuratel recorded, assessment regulations were followed and there is not evidence of material irregularit does not constitute grounds for appeal. Nor is the level of our marks in itself evidence of irregularit. Extenuating Circumstances Extenuating circumstances that ou did not submit to our Facult before the Assessment Board met will onl be considered as grounds for appeal in the most exceptional circumstances (normall because ou were unable to disclose the circumstances in advance) since the universit allows ou to submit extenuating circumstances under confidential cover, the fact that ou did not wish to disclose personal information will not normall be considered as an exceptional circumstance. An claim of extenuating circumstances which ou wish to use as grounds for appeal must be accompanied b appropriate corroborating evidence. 25

27 How our appeal will be considered As indicated in the appeal regulations, once our appeal proforma is received b the Secretar to the Appeal Board, our case will be investigated. It will be in our best interests to respond to an requests for additional information as quickl as possible, so that our case can be considered. Once we have all the information we need, we will forward our case to the Appeal Panel. The Panel consists of two members of academic staff and one student, none of whom will be from the Facult ou are registered with. We anticipate that the Panel will take about 20 working das from receiving all the information about our case to come to a decision. Please note this does not mean 20 working das after our initial appeal letter was submitted. The outcome of our appeal Once the Appeal Panel has made a decision on our case, we will inform ou of the outcome in writing. The decision of the Assessment Board stands until it is changed. All cases will be dealt with b written correspondence onl. 26

28 7 FACULTY AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT SUPPORT Plmouth Universit has a number of services and resources available to support ou on this programme including: Facult Widening Participation Officer Universit Student Support Services Plmouth Campus Librar Computing Facilities Counselling Services Careers Service Information for students with specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities and other (short term) needs Health and Safet Information International Office For full details of the available facilities, contact details and opening hours, please refer to the Universit of Plmouth student handbook. 8. INFORMATION AND LEARNING SERVICES 8.1 Students with special needs The universit had a specialist unit, Disabilit Assist (DAS). DAS is responsible for assessment, guidance and coordination of support provision for students with specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities in connection with examinations and other matters. DAS is based in the Babbage Building on the Plmouth campus (telephone ) website: If ou have an requirements ou are aware of think ou ma need, please contact DAS as soon as possible so provision can be put in place for ou. 8.2 Librar Information As a student within the Facult of Health ou have full borrowing rights and access to all of the facilities offered b the main Universit of Plmouth librar at Drake Circus. As students within the Facult of Health ou are also entitled to use the librar services at Somerset College of Arts & Technolog (SCAT), and the Knowledge Spa (KSpa) at the Roal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro. You will need to join these libraries individuall as the are not part of the Universit network. The Universit of Plmouth librar holds books, journals and AV material covering all subject areas taught at the Universit. Books and journals are selected in consultation with the Academic staff to meet the needs of our individual programme. The Universit of Plmouth librar subscribes to man electronic journals and databases to assist ou with our course, and these are available through a service called Metalib, which can be accessed from an internet linked PC either on or off campus. User induction and subject based teaching sessions will be scheduled to enable ou to make the most of all of the resources. 27

29 There are enquir desks at all librar sites with staff available to help ou locate resources, use the services or just find our wa around. Subject librarians are also available at Drake Circus, SCAT and KSpa to give more detailed assistance. You can find information about all services offered b the Librar, Media and IT departments from the ILS librar pages, which ou can access from an internet linked PC via the Student Portal (Tulip). Hospital Libraries There are also collections of books based in Hospital staff libraries. These libraries are managed directl b the Hospital Trusts and have their own rules and regulations. It is possible if ou are on placement or if ou are a member of the hospital staff, to join the relevant staff librar. Please ask the librar where ou are working for details. Opening hours Up to date opening hours for the Universit librar can be found on the ILS Librar pages. It is particularl important to check with individual libraries before visiting during the Summer, Christmas or Easter vacation periods. 8.3 Information & Learning Services Computing services When ou arrive at the Universit ou self-register for a computing account and are given a unique username and password to access it. The account provides ou with secure file space on the network (u-drive), a mailbox and an address (eg. joe.bloggs@students.plmouth.ac.uk). It also allows access to a fleet of nearl 1800 networked student PCs with a wide variet of software applications, electronic resources and services provided b the Universit and external bodies. Open access computing areas are available on all Facult of Health teaching sites (Plmouth, Taunton, Truro and the PAHC building at Marjon). You should access our mailbox, file space and resources through the student portal at whether ou're using a Universit networked PC or our own at home. This wa ou will be automaticall authenticated for man of the external electronic resources available such as journals and databases. Your portal homepage will show links to our module folders which contain course material, lecture notes and discussion boards if lecturers have chosen to use these. Use the M Edesk tab on the portal menu to select and check our personal details, ensuring ou keep them up-to-date. Student Portal/Tulip/Blackboard The Universit use an online service called Tulip as an electronic learning environment. The librar makes extensive use of this online service to deliver a large selection of electronic resources ranging from specialist web sites to ke databases and electronic journals. For further information on how the student portal/tulip /Blackboard is being used for our module and course ask our module leaders or module teachers. The student portal (Tulip)/studentnet can be accessed at the following location: 28

30 8.4 Careers Services Careers Interviews Individual appointments are available to students wishing to discuss their plans and ideas with a Careers Adviser. The appointments run at thirt minute intervals and are booked dail. Students can arrange appointments b calling in to Careers Reception (in the Librar) or telephoning (01752) QUERIES: CAREERS@PLYMOUTH.AC.UK Careers Information There is a wealth of information held in the Careers Librar available in different formats. The Careers Librar is located on the middle floor of the Librar at the Plmouth campus. The information is available on a self help basis and covers a variet of topics including careers information, emploers, stud/work abroad, self emploment, vacation work, voluntar work, postgraduate stud/funding, job seeking skills, placements/work experience plus much more. Computer Databases A number of databases exist to help with student research into courses and emploers. e.g., ECCTIS database covers all UK courses including postgraduate stud, part time courses, etc. Other directories are available in CD format, e.g., Kompass Business Director - all ver useful for emploer contact information. Postgraduate Stud Information The Careers Librar stocks postgraduate course directories, information on research councils and funding sources. Presentations and Workshops There are a variet of emploer led and Careers Service presentations and workshops running from October - April. The emploer led presentations concentrate on opportunities for graduates in a particular compan or industr. The Careers Service workshops cover a number of career -related topics for finalists including Interview Skills, Writing CVs, Application Forms, Assessment Centres and Pschometric Testing. Details of workshops and presentations are displaed on Careers Service notice boards and the Careers Service web site. Vacanc Information There is a wealth of vacanc information available for final ear students from September onwards. Information includes FREE graduate directories, (e.g., 'Prospects Director' and 'GET'), 'Prospects' Vacanc Bulletins (including 'Prospects Toda' and 'Prospects Finalist') and the Careers Service Vacanc Bulletin. Vacancies are also displaed on Vacanc notice boards. Increasingl, vacanc information is available from various web sites including the Prospects website ( If ou need help locating these, contact the Careers Service for advice. There are also specialist publications and bulletins containing specific vacancies. Again, contact the Careers Service for further details of these. Careers Fair There is an annual Careers Fair at the Universit of Plmouth held ever November. Around 45 local and national emploers take part. Please contact the Careers Service for further details of the next event. 29

31 Campus Recruitment ( Milk round ) A number of emploers visit the Universit of Plmouth each ear to conduct selection interviews for their annual intake of graduates. Details of visiting emploers looking to interview finalists are displaed in the Careers Service from September onwards. Essential Careers Web sites The main web sites for students to be aware of are: Includes details of Careers Service facilities/services, vacancies, graduate destinations, part-time jobs, Jewels Award, events, plus much more Includes careers information, work experience/placements, vacancies, labour market information, graduate destinations, postgraduate stud, help with job seeking, Prospects 'Quick Match', Prospects Direct CV service, plus much more Includes vacancies for jobseekers looking for work in the south west Opportunities Students completing the course successfull are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifer Professional Register. Emploment rates are ver high for qualified nurses. Qualified nurses have access to a wide range of emploment opportunities. These can include acute hospital care, communit care, working in the independent sector, care organisations abroad and charitable organisations. The Universit provides a range of higher degree programmes. There are opportunities for post-qualifing stud at post-graduate level and short, specialist clinical skills courses. Universit Scholarships Research Degrees Students who obtain a good (2:1 Upper Second or 1 st ) degree ma wish to continue to postgraduate stud at the Facult of Health PhD projects could be supervised at an of the four Facult of Health sites. For further information please refer to the postgraduate opportunities on the Facult of Health website. 30

32 8.5 Student Union What is UPSU: and what can it do for ou? As a student, ou are represented b the Students Union and ever student at the universit automaticall becomes a member. Representation basicall means that if ou have an problems in or outside universit we are here to help. We offer an advice service with trained advisors offering ou help in academic, financial or legal advice. If ou have an problems with our course, a lecturer or the universit we can represent our views and ensure our concerns are heard. The Union is also the social hub of the universit so if ou want food, drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic!), entertainment, bars, games, TV, somewhere to meet and chat the Union has got it covered. It is also the place to join all the sports clubs and societies. There are over eight to choose from so if ou fanc skdiving, power boating, football or even the joining Medsoc the Union is the place to be. UPSU has a long histor of volunteering within our local communities and provides students with a fantastic opportunit to develop their skills and experience. You might find that volunteering changes our life or the life of those ou help. Our Student Communit Action Project (SCAP) works with charities and has been involved in developing gardens in communit centres or travelling to Kena to help build schools. For more information on everthing we do please come and visit. You can check out our website at or our President presplmouth@su.plmouth.ac.uk 31

33 9. ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES This section gives guidance for all students on pre-registration nursing programmes. 9.1 Personal Details Please inform Programme Administration of an changes to our name and/or address or that of our next of kin, preferabl before the event. Changes of name should be supported b the documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, cop of statement to solicitor etc.). Programme Administration has the relevant forms which ou must complete in order to ensure the SGU hold accurate details for ou. Please inform us if our parents/registered home address changes as all end of ear transcripts are automaticall sent to the listed home address. We need to be informed of movement within term time accommodation as well as movement in and out. It is not the Accommodation Officer s responsibilit to tell us! Your placements will be allocated according to our term time address therefore it is ver important to keep Programme Administration informed. 9.2 Attendance Polic for Students The Facult of Health has a polic for managing both negotiated and unforeseen student absences from the programme. This is to ensure compliance with the statutor attendance requirements of the NMC and the need to demonstrate responsible financial management of public funds. It is an expectation of the Universit of Plmouth and a programme requirement, that ou attend our practice placements on a regular and punctual basis. As evidence of meeting this requirement, ou are responsible for completing a monthl time sheet of placement information, which is then logged onto our training record. Onl the authorised mentors ma sign these time sheets. An irregularities or dishonest in clinical records or assessment documentation will be treated as a ver serious breach of academic and professional regulations. You are also expected to attend stud sessions. Prolonged or repeated periods of absence threaten the educational viabilit and continuit of a programme of stud and can be disruptive to fellow students. Whilst learning outcomes can be met in a number of was, absence ma nullif the benefits to be gained from learning activities such as seminar presentations, debates and group work. This is particularl the case for those modules using problem based learning, when full commitment from all students is required. Please note that the Universit of Plmouth has a general polic for attendance of theor to be found in the Universit Student Handbook. The Facult of Health has a responsibilit to monitor patterns of attendance and absence. This monitoring forms part of a qualit assurance process. It is also undertaken to ensure that individual students are not placed at an un risk to their health or well being. Repeated patterns of absence can indicate the need to resolve underling personal issues or matters related to placements or programme design for that individual. It is alwas more constructive for students to raise matters likel to affect their attendance or studies before the become serious issues. This enables appropriate solutions to be identified / negotiated at an earl stage. It cannot be over-emphasised 32

34 that the Facult of Health operates this polic with the aim of achieving supportive solutions to what ma be experienced as complex and distressing personal circumstances. Seconded students Seconded students are monitored b both their Trusts and the Universit; if medical certificates are required to be handed in b a student the must give the original to their Trust and a cop to Programme Administration at the Universit. The attendance polic noted above also applies to seconded students Authorised Absences It is the student s responsibilit to report an absence. Sickness You must notif both our placement area and Programme Administration if ou are off sick whilst on placement, if ou are off sick on a theor da, ou must inform Programme Administration. Programme Administration is manned from 8:30am to 5:00pm; there is an answer phone for out of hour s calls where ou must leave our name, programme and cohort and our placement area if. The sickness will be documented on our student record and the relevant lecture staff will be informed. Medical Certificates Evidence of incapacit to attend the Facult of Health or a clinical placement on health grounds is required as follows: 4-7 calendar da s absence - Self certification form 7+ calendar da s absence - Doctors medical certificates to be submitted at regular intervals. All das of absence must be covered. Prolonged periods of sickness should be brought to the attention of our personal tutor as soon as possible Negotiated Absences Absence from specific taught sessions If ou have relevant previous academic qualifications, ou ma be able to negotiate out of theor sessions that could be repetitive. You must discuss this with the relevant module leader/teacher. Compassionate Leave An personal/domestic crisis that causes intense distress or severe disruption and requires a brief period of authorised absence to resolve can be discussed. One to three working das absence can be approved b our personal tutor, four to six das can be approved b the Programme Lead. An compassionate leave which requires more than seven das must be negotiated with the Programme Lead. Pregnanc and Maternit Leave You must notif our personal tutor as soon as possible after the pregnanc is confirmed. 33

35 You would normall continue on the programme until eleven weeks before our expected date of confinement. However, ou ma continue further on the programme if ou are fit to do so. You must negotiate initiall with our personal tutor about our anticipated return date prior to commencing our maternit leave. The personal tutor will then liaise with the Programme Lead and Programme Administrator. You will be entitled to a maternit bursar for up to 45 weeks whilst ou are on maternit leave and ou must complete the appropriate forms to be returned to the SGU, our Programme Administrator will assist ou with these. You should be advised to maintain our studies during this period in order to be able to effectivel rejoin the programme. See Appendix 2 for more information regarding Pregnanc Paternit Leave There is an entitlement of up to 10 das paternit leave; ou should approach our personal tutor if ou need a longer period of compassionate leave. Jur Service As a juror, ou have a chance to pla a vital part in our legal sstem. Since the 2004 changes in legislation, previous exempt categories of students, and registered health professionals are now eligible for jur service. This is a civic responsibilit on individuals and one that is consistent with professional standing in the wider communit. The jur service period is for 10 working das (Monda Frida). In the situation where a case exceeds this potential jurors are asked if the can serve on a long case the have an option to sa no to this for a number of reasons including emploees willingness to extended release and inconveniences to famil life on an extended case. All jurors can request one deferral to a jur summons but when the second date is set the must attend. Clearl there ma be personal reasons for ou not wishing to undertake jur service and ou would deal with these via the clerk of court as an individual. This polic relates to jur service affecting our education programme. Students can no longer gain exemption from jur service on the grounds of being in healthcare environments. If ou receive a jur summons, ou should discuss it with our personal tutor in the first instance. Further information concerning jur service can be found at: Unforeseen Circumstances Dependants Leave, Bad Weather, Strike Action It is expected that ou will make ever effort to attend the Facult of Health or our placements. However, it is accepted that in certain situations it ma not be possible or safe for ou to do so. You must notif the placement area and/or Programme Administration. 34

36 9.2.4 Non-authorised absences Non-authorised / non-notified absences or non-attendance at lectures/seminars or placements ma result in discontinuation from the course in accordance with the Universit regulations. Intervention is required whenever our attendance pattern and/or level of sickness or other unaccounted absences ma indicate a cause for concern. Initiall ou will be required to meet with our personal tutor to discuss this concern. The intention at this stage is to explore and address an specific problems that might be contributing to this pattern of absence. Your subsequent attendance patterns ma need to be kept under review. Where ou exceed an aggregate total of 75 hours absence, certified or uncertified, over a 12 month period, Programme Administration will inform our personal tutor and Programme Lead who will meet with ou. The record of this meeting will document the actions to be taken b both parties to monitor the situation and resolve difficulties Make up time Make up theor time can be negotiated between ou and the module leader. Practice experience which exceeds 75 hours per ear absence time, will have to be recorded as time to make up. Make up time is that which is made up within our own time and must be recorded and notified to Programme Administration on the appropriate documentation. It is our responsibilit to keep track of this time. Formula: 37.5 hours (in excess) make up all of this time before the next academic ear, or at the end of the three ear programme. 75 hours (in excess) make up all of this time before the next academic ear, or at the end of the three ear programme hours (in excess) make up 75 hours before the next academic ear and 37.5 hours during the next academic ear or at the end of the three ear programme. 150 hours (in excess) make up 75 hours before the next academic ear and 75 hours during the next academic ear or at the end of the three ear programme. 225 hours (in excess) consider interrupting and re-taking the ear at a more convenient point Time sheets Student timesheets should be submitted to Programme Administration b the end of the first week of ever month. The information contained on our record gives us the data to enter on our NMC record. Absence for an reason must be recorded on ou timesheets. If ou are unsure now to complete our timesheets, please ask for clarification. Travel claims will not be accepted without a current timesheet. 35

37 9.3 Extenuating Circumstances Extenuating Circumstances forms are available from ou site Programme Administration or our Programme Administrator. Extenuating Circumstances are circumstances which: Are exceptional Are outside the students control Can be corroborated b independent evidence Occurred during or shortl before the assessment in question Ma have led to poor performance or meant the student could not submit/attend the assessment in question. Extenuating Circumstances not supported b evidence will not be considered. 9.4 Financial Support Student Loans You ma be entitled to a student loan to cover the balance of our living costs. NHS means tested Bursaries are not intended to meet all our maintenance requirements, so ou are encouraged to consider carefull whether ou will need a loan to avoid hardship during our course. You should appl, via our local education authorit (LEA) for a loan before the course starts. The LEA will tell the Student Loans Compan the maximum loan to which ou are entitled. You can then decide how much of the available loan, if an, ou want. Your LEA will be happ to give ou more detailed advice. Bursaries The NHS Student Grants Unit (SGU) is responsible for assessing, reviewing and paing our means tested bursar entitlements. The information regarding our entitlements and methods of pament is in the Department of Health booklet Financial Help for Health Care students Fifth Edition. Copies are available on the Department of Health Website: or b calling or ing doh@prolog.uk.com Travel Costs Normal dail travel between our home and normal college base will not be reimbursed. However, the cost of journes between our term time residence and a clinical placement site which is not part of the Universit of Plmouth can be reimbursed providing the cost is in excess of our normal dail travel costs from our term time residence to our Plmouth Universit base. Student Responsibilities You should obtain relevant travel claim forms from Programme Administration at our Facult of Health site. These should be completed and delivered to Programme Administration (together with timesheets) for checking and authorisation. All receipts for claimable expenditure (e.g. bus tickets) should be firml attached. Pament cannot be approved without corresponding tickets and receipts. These claims will then be forwarded onto the SGU who will pa them with the next convenient bursar pament. This can take up to 8 weeks. 36

38 All enquiries about financial support should be directed to the Student Grants Unit at the following: The NHS Student Grants Unit NHS Pensions Agenc Hesketh House Broadwa Fleetwood Lancashire FY7 8SS Tel:

39 9.5 Travel Insurance You need to ensure that when ou undertake senior communit placements using our own car, our current car insurance provides business cover. In addition an equipment carried in our car needs to be covered b insurance. 9.6 Smoking Polic Details of the Universit of Plmouth Smoking Polic can be found in our student handbook. The Facult of Health is appreciative of the difficulties that ma be associated with tring to adopt this polic and various lines of support and communication are available to staff and student. If ou are a smoker and wish to give up smoking or think ou will have a problem conforming to this polic, please tell our personal tutor as soon as possible. Under no circumstances must staff/students smoke whilst in uniform. In addition students are subject to the relevant Trust polic whilst in clinical placement. 9.7 Equal Opportunities The Universit of Plmouth is full committed to providing equalit of opportunit for all of its staff and students, applicants and visitors. The Universit will not tolerate unfair or unlawful discrimination on the grounds of gender, ethnicit, colour, disabilit, religion, nationalit, age, occupation, marital status, sexual orientation or an other irrelevant distinction. This polic applies to all aspects of staff and student activit within the Universit. The following three policies listed are available in full at: home.plmouth.ac.uk/equalopps Equal Opportunities; Harassment; Race Equalit. A network of trained Harassment Advisors is available for staff and students. The list of advisors is available from The Equal Opportunities Office. There is also a polic regarding Consensual Relations between staff and students. 9.8 Uniform Polic During our programme ou will come into contact with the public in a variet of was and in a variet of settings. Sometimes ou will need to wear ordinar clothes and sometimes ou will need to wear protective clothing, and a set of uniforms will be provided. You must adhere to the following guidelines, which have been produced for our safet as well as that of patients and clients. Hair must be kept off the face and above the collar line Onl one plain stud in each ear ma be worn Onl a wedding ring ma be worn Onl low-heeled plain nursing shoes ma be worn unless otherwise specified 38

40 No false nails or coloured nail varnish If ou are not required to wear uniform or protective clothing but our own clothes, it is expected that the points made above will be respected. Uniform is designed to be worn while ou are in a practice placement. It should not be worn outside the working environment. Identit badges should be worn whenever ou are on Facult business. 9.9 Accident Forms It is a requirement under the Health and Safet at Work Act that all accidents should be properl recorded. Therefore anone who has an accident should complete an accident form. If an accident occurs on Universit premises or its environs, the accident form ma be obtained from Programme Administration. If an accident occurs on Trust premises or an other placement premises, the accident form will normall be provided b staff at that location and the will retain the completed form. However, it is important that the Facult is aware of the accident, so that an particular circumstances or injuries can be taken into account when ou return to the Facult premises. It is in our own interests that all accidents are retained on our Universit file so that full information is available if there are long term consequences of injur which were not immediatel apparent at the time of the accident. If an accident does arise awa from the Facult premises, ou should either ask for a cop of the completed accident form to be forwarded to the Facult (Programme Administration) or alternativel, should, if in doubt, ask the Facult for an accident form for completion. If ou are treated in an wa while on Trust premises, the Trust Occupational Health or Accident and Emergenc Department will treat ou in the first instance. At a later date ou will be seen b the Facult s Occupational Health facilit at Exeter Incidents in the Clinical Area You ma witness an incident while in clinical practice as an observer or a participant. Potentiall this ma involve ou as a witness and ou ma be asked to write a statement of events. This is not something to be worried about but ou should seek the advice of our personal tutor. He/she will advise ou on how to manage such situations and accompan ou to an meetings which are arranged as a result of the incident Guidelines for dealing with unsafe practice/inappropriate professional behaviour The NMC (2004) state that As a registered nurse or midwife, ou must protect and support the health of individual patients and clients. Teachers of nursing and midwifer are covered b NMC guidance on accountable practice. Therefore, where practice, which apparentl compromises the safet of others, is reported verball, in writing or within assignments, the are bound to act in a manner that protects those at risk. 39

41 All cases of practice that compromise the safet of others revealed through reporting, reflection or in writing will be acted upon: Practice that compromises the safet of others will be discussed in a nondisciplinar/ supportive wa with the appropriate line manager. In order to encourage student responsibilit the ma, if the wish, be involved in discussions with the appropriate part. The appropriate part shall be deemed to be the designated Senior Manager in the practice placement. It is the responsibilit of the placement provider to investigate and act upon the information received from the teacher to ensure the maintenance of qualit care and safe practice for patients, clients and others; to keep appropriate records and to report action taken to the teacher and student concerned Occupational Health Service to the Facult of Health The Facult of Health contracts with Exeter Occupational Health and Safet Service (EXOHSS) for the provision of occupational health services for student nurses and student midwives. The service is based at the Roal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Heavitree) in Exeter but the OH team provides man of its services at the main Facult of Health sites, which are Plmouth, Taunton and Treliske. The Occupational Health and Safet Service aims to ensure that student nurses and midwives are medicall fit to undertake their programme. It also advises students and the Facult in cases where practising nursing or midwifer ma have an impact on an individual s health and suggest adjustments that might need to be considered to accommodate those health problems. Please read carefull the information contained in Appendix 3 of this handbook relating to Occupation Health 9.13 Pastoral and Counselling Services Pastoral Support for Students Undertaking a nursing programme involves a considerable personal and professional investment. It is important from both our own and the Facult of Health perspective that this time and experience is as productive and positive as possible. In the Facult of Health we aim to deliver programmes to enable ou to successfull complete our assignments and assessments of practice within the specified time scales. However, there ma be times when the demands or structure of our programme or placements do not best fit with our current circumstances. This ma be due to a variet of factors - changes to our personal circumstances, unexpectedl high work pressures, finding aspects of the coursework particularl difficult, uncertaint over assignment preparation, a period of sickness, etc. When faced with such a situation the first step in tring to resolve an problem or difficult that is interfering with our studies is to talk to someone. It is quite likel that the issue is one that can be readil addressed if it is brought to our attention, especiall at an earl stage. 40

42 Your personal tutor is the first person ou should approach as the are best placed to know about the practical issues associated with our programme and the range of potential solutions. However, if our personal tutor is not readil available there are a number of other people who should be able to either deal with our quer or who will be able to direct ou to someone who can Counselling Services The Student Counselling Service is available to all students on each of the Universit campuses. You ma wish to access the service if, during our time at Universit, ou experience personal and emotional difficulties that impact on our academic work or on our enjoment of Universit life in general. The service offers workshops, for example on managing stress and depression, in addition to both individual and group counselling. See website for more details: How to contact us: You can contact the Counselling Service in person, b (studentcounselling@plmouth.ac.uk) or b telephone. The service is open throughout term-time and vacations, although during the vacations, there is a reduced service. Not all campuses are staffed on a full-time basis check website for more details. Marjon GF13, PAHC Building Plmouth 4 Portland Mews Truro S19, Level 4, Knowledge Spa Chaplainc The Universit chaplains work alongside other support services in ensuring that students feel supported and part of the Universit. The: Offer practical help and friendship, regardless of religious background or belief, or indeed lack of it Liaise with local church groups and other world faith communities to offer everone access to their own traditions of worship and practice Organise social events (walks, meals, video evenings, etc) Provide ou with opportunities to make new friends and contacts across the Universit On the Plmouth campus, Chaplainc House provides a coffee lounge and space for its listening ear service. A variet of student run groups make use of the house and a bus calendar of social events is organised. On other campuses the chaplains work closel with the local communit to help students make the most of their time at the Universit. 41

43 9.14 Polic for Health Care Students on Norovirus (Norwalk) Professional Issues 1) There is an expectation that health care students, b the ver nature of their chosen career, are likel at some time to be exposed to hazardous situations. 2) Caring for patients with Norovirus is one of these situations and it is recognised that there is a potential for contamination and cross-infection. 3) Students cannot therefore avoid caring for patients with Norovirus illness (NMC Ma 08 / HPC Jul 08 ) in order to limit the risk of acquiring the disease. 4) Health Care Trusts have thus developed policies to tr to limit the spread to staff and other patients b asking those possibl infected not to come into the hospital (health care setting). (SDHCFT 2008) 5) Staff and students should thus follow the advice about preventing the spread of Norovirus at all times, in work and at home. 6) This is in addition to the use of universal infection control precautions that have been taught (eg hand washing techniques and the wearing of appropriate protective clothing) 7) Students will thus need to adhere to their local health care provider polic and those of the Universit. 8) However if the do acquire the illness the should remaining awa from clinical areas for 48 hours after smptoms resolve. (Recording an absence on their universit time sheets if required) Introduction; the disease 1) Norovirus or small round structured viruses (SRSV) cause the smptoms which have been called winter vomiting disease, however this is a misnomer as it can occur at an time in the ear. downloaded Jan 09 2) Smptoms are apparent hours after infection (although this can be as short as 12 hours) and usuall commence with nausea or bloating 3) The smptoms usuall progress to projectile vomiting and water diarrhoea, there ma be mild fever, headache, stomach cramp & aching limbs. These usuall last for hours but the diarrhoea in particular ma go on for up to 60 hours. 4) Exposure to the disease does not routinel provide immunit as the virus changes and the sufferer ma be infectious for up to 48 hours after smptoms have resolved. 42

44 5) The advice on treatment is that antibiotics are of no value, but some antidiarrhoeal medicines ma help as will paracetamol for fever or aching limbs. 6) The important main issue is to prevent dehdration, (particularl in the oung or frail) b drinking plent of fluids and a light diet ma be tolerated. Smptoms will resolve. 7) Advice on preventing the spread of the Norovirus is as follows a. Good frequent and thorough hand hgiene b. Flush awa in the toilet / sluice vomit or faecal material c. Disinfection of an potentiall contaminated areas (e.g. around bathroom, patient area or kitchen) d. Avoid preparing food whilst ill or in the 48 hours following smptom resolution e. Wash contaminated or potentiall contaminated clothing in hot soap water f. Avoid eating raw or unwashed food Individual Special requirements 1) If as a healthcare profession student ou have special occupational health requirements, that ma put ou at risk of a more severe illness, these must be discussed with our Personal Tutor 2) The Personal Tutor will then seek advice from the Universit s Occupational Health provider on an individual basis via the PQDD. Conclusion 1) Health care students must expect to care for patients with Norovirus disease and follow the local policies and procedures. 2) The must also expect to attend practice, as part of their programme, when an outbreak has been identified in that practice area. References HPC 2008 Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics Jul 08 downloaded Jan 09 NMC 2008 Code of Conduct Ma 08 downloaded Jan 09 South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Patient Information: the facts about Norovirus Dec 08 Bibliograph Gould D 2008 Management and prevention of norovirus outbreaks in hospital Nursing Standard Dec 3-9, 23 (13) 51-6 quiz 58,60 43

45 9.15 Social Networking Sites Used properl, social networking sites such as Facebook are a great wa to find old friends, join interest groups and share information. However, nurses and midwives should remember that anthing posted on a social networking site is in the public domain. What ma be considered to be letting off steam about a situation at work can potentiall be read b someone who ma take offence at the content of a posting. Nurses and midwives could be putting their registration at risk if posting inappropriate comments about colleagues or patients or posting an material that could be considered explicit. 44

46 10. STUDENT LIAISON, EVALUATION AND REPRESENTATION 10.1 Student Representatives Student representatives will be nominated and appointed at the beginning of the first ear of the programme and will remain as student representative for the duration of the programme. The primar role of student representatives is to provide the Universit with a balanced view of the perceptions of the student bod of the qualit and standards of the education and services being provided. The ma also participate in the review and development of programmes and of institutional policies and contribute to decision-making processes at the department, school, facult or institutional levels Students role on Programme Committees Each programme has a programme committee on which students from each ear are represented. The primar role of student representatives is to provide the Universit with a balanced view of the perceptions of the student bod of the qualit and standards of the education and services being provided. At the programme level, the facilitate a dialogue between the members of staff who deliver the programme and the students whose learning is determined b the programme Student Feedback and Evaluation Student feedback and evaluation, both of individual modules and of the whole programme is an integral and important part of the learning and teaching process. You will be invited to evaluate the deliver and content of each module, utilising a standard Module Evaluation form which will be distributed b module teachers. In addition, some form of qualitative evaluation will normall be undertaken. In our portfolio ou will be given practice feedback sheets. It is important that ou complete these for ever placement in order for us to ensure ou are getting the best learning opportunities and support available. These should be handed in at Programme Administration at the end of each placement. You will also be invited to provide feedback on the wider aspects of the Universit environment, introduction to the programme, the learning environment, qualit of the programme and services/ facilities available to ou. This information will be gained via the annual Student Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) more details can be found at the following web address: Website: 45

47 11. Facult of Health Studies information for students about research All practitioners in the health professions rel upon good qualit research. This provides the evidence to enable practitioners to plan appropriate patient care, it also enables educators to plan and deliver courses that meet the needs of the professions. In the School of Nursing and Midwifer, we support research activit as an integral part of our professional work. During our course ou will hear about the evidence for our practice, speak to active researchers and ma be invited to be a participant in projects conducted b researchers from within or outside the Universit of Plmouth. A number of the staff in our School are undertaking research, for example we have projects on the care of people with long term conditions, services and support for older adults and use of IT to promote both health and education. We do receive a number of requests from people who would like to recruit students from our school to research projects, for example ou ma be asked to fill in a questionnaire, take part in an interview or focus group or allow ourself to be observed in class. Each request is checked to see that ethical approval has been obtained and the stud is relevant. As we do not want students to be overwhelmed with requests, we allow a maximum of two requests per cohort per academic ear, so ou should be asked no more than twice a ear. Being a participant in a research project can be a valuable experience for ou and ma contribute to the knowledge we have and result in better health care, so we encourage ou to become involved in projects that interest ou during our course. You will usuall hear about research projects via an from our program admin team or via the Universit website. If ou have an concerns about an request to be a participant in a research project, or other research related issue, please don t hesitate to contact me. Dr Heather Skirton Deput Head (for Research, Innovation and Enterprise of School) School of Nursing and Midwifer. 46

48 12. APPENDICES Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Advice for Lecturers, Student Nurses and Midwives regarding Pregnanc Occupational Health Guidance Core Curriculum in Pharmacolog for Pre-registration Nursing Courses Information for student nurses going into practice placements Placement Development Teams Student Complaint Procedure 47

49 Appendix 1 ADVICE FOR LECTURERS, STUDENT NURSES AND MIDWIVES REGARDING PREGNANCY Introduction Pregnanc is a normal phsiological process and is to be regarded as part of ever da life. Man women work while the are pregnant and man return to work whilst the are breast feeding. The health and safet implications of pregnanc can be adequatel addressed b normal health and safet management procedures under most circumstances. However, some hazards ma affect the health and safet of new and expectant mothers and their children, and some are a source of concern to pregnant women. The guidelines below cover areas that are commonl raised for pregnant women working in the Health Service. Each Trust will have its own polic to cover pregnant workers and restrictions ma var from Trust to Trust depending on local risk assessments. Refresher student nurses are advised to follow local procedures and policies and the Exeter Occupational Health and Safet service will offer advice in areas of difficult. Lifting and Handling of Patients Pregnant workers are especiall at risk from manual handling injuries as hormonal changes can affect ligaments. Most Trusts have in place either no lifting or minimal lifting policies and these must be adhered to b pregnant workers. It is particularl important that pregnant students use lifting aids wherever possible and if no such aids are available it is wise to remove them from duties which require the lifting of patients. Standing and Fatigue Excessive standing has been associated with a preterm deliver and pregnant students should be encouraged to take advantage of suitable seating whenever possible. Night Dut Night work is not contraindicated in pregnanc but some pregnant students ma experience excessive fatigue associated with disturbed sleep which might require them to be removed from night shifts. Violence Unfortunatel, violence is a risk to which pregnant workers ma be exposed and it ma be to remove them from placements in high risk areas during their pregnanc, e.g. A&E or some mental health facilities. Ctotoxic Drugs Pregnant healthcare workers should not be involved in making up ctotoxic drugs. Most Trusts also restrict pregnant staff from the administration of these drugs and ma remove them from work in oncolog clinics or wards where there would be a direct involvement in administration. You should follow local policies. 48

50 Radiation There are normall no specific precautions that need to be taken over and above those alread in existence in Trusts to protect staff from radiation hazards. Lead aprons can be heav, hot and uncomfortable when pregnant and it ma be wise to avoid participating in screening activities. Anaesthetic Gases There is some evidence of foetal developmental effects from exposure to anaesthetic gases. The Occupational Exposure Standards (OES s) set b the Health and Safet Executive have been based on this data and therefore students can work in areas where the OES s are not exceeded. If the OES is exceeded the pregnant worker should be moved from the area. Areas where this ma occur include deliver rooms in maternit and theatres without scavenging. Infections Pregnant mothers should not normall care for patients suffering from rubella or varicella zoster. Students should have had their immunit to these infections checked at commencement of training and been immunised against rubella if indicated. If there is an doubt about suitabilit to care for patients suffering from an infectious disease the advice of the Control of Infection team or the Occupational Health Service should be sought. In general, universal precautions will protect pregnant and non-pregnant workers alike. Post Deliver You are required to take compulsor maternit leave for the first two weeks following childbirth. At what time ou return to work after compulsor maternit leave is for ou to decide in discussion with our Programme Lead. The Universit is required to provide somewhere for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to rest and is required to conduct a risk assessment for all emploees and students. More information about maternit leave can be found in: New and expectant mothers at work, A guide for Health Professionals available at Alternativel please call for our cop. 49

51 Appendix 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH What is occupational health? Occupational health is concerned with the effect of Health on Work, and the effect of Work on Health. There are various pieces of legislation that affect health and safet at work. These include: Health and Safet at Work Act 1974, which protects emploees b requiring the emploer to safeguard as far as is reasonabl practicable, their health, safet and welfare. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, amended 2002, require emploers to avoid or reduce the risk involved in manual handling operations. Thus students should not lift patients or heav loads until suitable training has been given. Management of Health and Safet at Work 1999 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) which requires workplace assessments with subsequent prevention or control. Under this piece of legislation YOU need to know about the nature of substances ou work with and the risks created b those substances. The Facult of Health contracts with Exeter Occupational Health Service (EXOHS) for the provision of occupational health services for all healthcare students. EXOHS role is to provide professional, impartial and confidential advice to both the Facult and the students, as required, on fitness to practice. Ke functions include: pre-emploment screening screening/immunisations referral for work-related issues, advice ma include suggesting adjustments that might need to be considered to accommodate an identified health problems advice following an inoculation injur The service is based at the Roal Devon and Exeter Foundation NHS Trust (Heavitree) in Exeter, but the OH team provides the opportunit to be seen at Plmouth, Taunton and Truro. You are reminded of the importance of keeping EXOHS informed of an change of circumstances, eg change of name or address. If an Occupational Health appointment is made whilst ou are on placement allocation, priorit must be given to attending the Occupational Health appointment. In most cases the time spent out of the placement area will be a maximum of 4 hours, and in these instances ou will not be required to make up this time. Travel to EXOHS can be claimed in accordance with the standard student travel polic. 50

52 Staffing: Reception Miss Jenn Brasher (administrative officer) Dr. A Rossiter Consultant Occupational Phsician The following services are provided: An Immunisation Service: As a healthcare student, ou are expected to compl with Department of Health guidelines with regard to the immunisations required to protect ou, and our patients, during the course of our work. In order to go on placement ou will need to have a complete immunisation record. Students should therefore be aware that it is a compulsor requirement for healthcare students to have complied with this polic. Screening/immunisation against Hepatitis B, Mumps, Measles, Rubella and Tuberculosis is required, and our immunit status to Varicella Zoster, (Chicken Pox) will also be established b a blood test. Students undertaking exposure prone procedures, ie midwives, paramedics and theatre practitioners, will require a blood test to confirm their Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV status. These particular students will need to provide photographic ID. This process will normall begin during the induction week when the EXOHS nurses are on site. The nurses regularl visit the various sites, and it is ver important to keep appointments. REMEMBER, that ou will be charged for non-attendance. If ou are unable to attend, please give 48 hours notice b ringing / Please note: practice placements will be affected if students fail to receive Occupational Health Screening/immunisations (see attached schedule). Provide a Referral Service/Appointments There ma be occasions when the Facult of Health wishes to seek the advice of EXOHS with regard to a medical condition and the impact it ma have on our abilit to complete our programme or to practice thereafter. A referral ma also arise from a period or periods of sickness absence. You will be advised of the need for this health assessment b our Student Co-ordinator or Pathwa Leader and will normall be seen on the EXOHS Exeter premises. You will be informed of the date and time of our appointment b letter. It is ver important that these appointments are attended. If ou are unable to attend, ou should cancel at least 48 hours prior to our appointment b contacting the department on: Exeter (01392) If ou fail to keep an appointment without previousl notifing the Exeter Occupational Health Service, the Facult of Health will be informed and our placement experience will be compromised. You will also be charged the appropriate non attendance fee which will affect our course progression if not paid. 51

53 Vaccinations Consultant Phsician OH Nurse If ou are generall unwell please seek advice from our General Practitioner or the Emergenc Department in an emergenc. Students ma not self refer but should seek advice from their tutor if the have an health concerns which ma have an impact on their abilit to work. Fitness for work As well as compling with the statutor guidance and local policies, ou should be aware that it is YOUR responsibilit to care for ourself. You will have completed a health questionnaire prior to commencing the programme. If ou develop an significant health problems during our programme, which ma have an impact on our abilit to work in clinical areas, ou should, in the first instance, seek advice from our personal tutor. The conditions that ma affect our abilit to provide care include: Resolving or recurrent back pain Other musculo-skeletal problems which ma interfere with our abilit to lift and handle clients Skin problems, especiall if affecting hands or forearms, eg eczema or psoriasis. It is therefore imperative that ou protect and care for our skin. Nails should be kept short, clean, and not bitten. Epileps or an condition causing a loss or alteration of consciousness Insulin dependent diabetes Diseases/medication that can cause the immune sstem to be compromised, eg HIV and some malignancies Diseases which might represent a risk of infection to clients e.g. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV Mental health problems, including stress. Be aware of the pressures ou are under as a student and familiarise ourself with local support mechanisms. The Universit of Plmouth Student Counselling Service offers a support service for students. Infection Control Standard Precautions are outlined in Hospital Infection Control Manuals. Familiarise ourself with them and ensure the continuit of safe practice during our nursing career. If ou are aware of being in contact with, or possibl suffering smptoms of an infectious disease, ou should report it immediatel to the relevant person e.g. tutor or placement supervisor. Open wounds should alwas be covered with waterproof dressing/plaster in the working environment. Diet/Exercise: are important factors in our ongoing well-being. Organise our life to ensure regular exercise and a good, balanced diet. Smoking: is a known hazard to health and is also prohibited in the working environment. Support from local PCT Agencies is available to assist with quitting Pregnanc: known hazards exist in ever workplace and pregnant students must inform their tutor and/or ward/department manager when the pregnanc has been 52

54 confirmed so that the risks in their current working environment can be assessed. Pregnant mothers should not normall care for patients suffering from rubella or varicella zoster. You should have had our immunit to varicella checked at commencement of training and been immunised with the MMR if indicated. Inoculation injur It is important that these injuries are dealt with as a matter of priorit, and advice should be sought immediatel at the time of injur from the host Occupational Health Service who will liaise with Exeter regarding documentation. It is in our interest to ensure that ou report these injuries to the person supervising our practice and follow the correct local procedure. Ideall avoid! B covering an cuts on our hands/forearms, being familiar with the proposed procedure and having a sharps bin to hand, to ensure safe disposal Seek advice from our local Occupational Health Department and inform our Academic co-ordinator ideall have the telephone number with ou If working in Exeter, ring the Inoculation Injuries Hotline on Ensure that a risk assessment is carried out, to establish the need for further treatment or follow up bloods EXOHS is available for advice/guidance Hours of opening The Occupational Health Department is open Monda to Frida 8.15 am to 5.00 pm NB. Please note the following statement from the NMC A nurse, midwife or health visitor who believes that she or he ma have been exposed to infection with HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, in whatever circumstances, should seek specialist medical advice and diagnostic testing, if applicable. She or he must adhere to the specialist medical advice received. Each practitioner must consider ver carefull their personal accountabilit as defined in the Council s Code of Professional Conduct and remember that she or he has an overriding ethical dut of care to patients. Arrangements for learners returning to the programme after 6 months interruption The management of occupational health assessment of learners who are due to return following deferral, interrupt or special leave/stud arrangements on health and social care programmes. All learners who are on programmes leading to professional qualification, that do not undertake normal programme activities for a period of 6 months or more (despite their rationale for non attendance) must undergo a renewed enhanced CRB check and a further occupational health assessment. 53

55 In addition, should an concerns regarding a learner arise at an point during a programme of stud, the programme lead ma initiate a referral with EXOHS through the normal channels (Practice Qualit Development Division). Domestic Violence Domestic violence and abuse can be experienced b women and men whatever their race, age, class, colour, abilit, religion or sexualit. The violence can begin at an stage of a relationship and ma continue after the relationship has ended. Devon and Cornwall Police Non-emergenc number is (in an emergenc, alwas dial 999). For confidential and general advice for those who do not want the Police involved, contact Plmouth Women s Aid, Telephone Queen Anne s Terrace North Hill Plmouth Plmouth Women s Aid is an organisation completel separate from the police. The have independent domestic violence advocates who can give confidential advice and guidance from housing, personal safet to solicitors. Devon and Cornwall Police have further information and advice on the following web page. 54

56 FACULTY OF HEALTH - STUDENT SCREENING STANDARDS Re f No Course Description Adult Nursing - Degree Adult Nursing - Diploma Mental Health - Degree Mental Health - Diploma Midwifer - Degree Midwifer - Diploma Child Nursing - Degree Phsiotherap - Degree Podiatr - Degree Dietetics - Degree ODP - Diploma Pre Emploment Histories Vaccinations Serolog Paper Scree n 12 OT - Degree 13 Social Workers HI required required required required required required required required 14 Paramedics required required Medicals Hep B Poli o Tetanus TB Chicken pox MMR Hep B 55 BCG Scar Check BCG / Mantoux / Quantifero n MMR Vaccs, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence, if no documenta r evidence Chicken pox Hep B Hep C Chicke n pox MMR HIV

57 Appendix 3 CORE CURRICULUM IN PHARMACOLOGY FOR PREREGISTRATION NURSING COURSES (Dip HE, BN and BSc) Aims The overall aim of this curriculum is to establish the core pharmacological knowledge and related information that will enable newl-qualified nurses to be safe and effective in their medicines-related practice. Pre-requisites Courses should ensure that students should have adequate understanding of relevant phsiolog, functional anatom, path phsiological processes and common disorders. Equall it must be recognised that students enter nursing courses with a wide variet of academic attainments and cannot be expected to engage effectivel with a pharmacolog course that assumes competence in chemistr. Introduction Nurses with first level qualifications have professional responsibilities for administration of medicines (including as directed b pro re nata (prn) prescriptions and group protocols), monitoring safet and effectiveness of treatments, providing advice and explanations for patients and carers, and asepsis when appropriate (UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifer and Health Visiting: Guidelines for the administration of medicines, October 2000*).CHANGE In order to fulfill these roles the need sound knowledge of the principles of pharmacolog and clinical pharmacolog. The also need abilities to acquire good understanding of those groups of medicines that the encounter regularl in practice and to access information on less frequentl encountered drug groups and topics such as adverse reactions and interactions. Such knowledge and abilities also provide secure foundations on which supplementar courses can be built as nurses prescribing roles increase. *Taken over b the NMC (Nursing, Midwifer Council) from April Core knowledge Principles Routes and techniques for administration of medicines; absorption and distribution Durations of action of medicines; distribution, biotransformation, excretion Mechanisms of drug action and dose-response relationships Adverse reactions and drug interactions, including awareness of potential for interactions with OTC medicines and herbal remedies. Impact of phsiological state of patients: e.g. age, pregnanc; and selected significant pathologies such as circulator, renal and hepatic impairment, Overview of drug discover, development, evaluation (clinical trials) and post-marketing surveillance Drugs and the law, and basic dose calculations (e.g. dilutions) Concepts of compliance, concordance and adherence relating to medication Drug Groups for all specialties Analgesic and anti-inflammator drugs Anticonvulsant agents Antidepressant, anxioltic and hpnotic drugs Anti- hpertensive and antithrombotic drugs Antimicrobial drugs, parasiticides antiseptics and disinfectants Anti- ulcer and anti-emetic drugs 56

58 Diuretics Drugs of addiction and misuse Drugs to treat anaphlaxis and other allerg-based emergencies General anaesthetics, pre-anaesthetic medication and neuromuscular blocking drugs Hpoglcaemic agents Laxatives and antidiarrhoeals Local anaesthetics Additional Drug Groups for nursing specialities Adult - cardiovascular and respirator sstem drugs, hormonal contraception, skin treatments and wound management products; principles of cancer chemotherap; antiparkinsonian drugs and treatments for dementia Child drugs used in asthma; oral rehdration salts; principles of cancer chemotherap Learning Disabilities spasmoltic agents Mental Health antipschotics; antiparkinsonian drugs and treatments for dementia; administering medicines against the will of patients detained under Mental Health legislation Midwifer oxtocics Core skills and attitudes IT skills and abilit to retrieve information on medicines from printed and electronic sources Awareness of tpes of information available from the British National Formular and derived formularies Awareness of Drug Information Services Abilities to relate patients medicines histories to signs and smptoms being treated or monitored Abilities to communicate effectivel with patients, carers and professional colleagues about medications Abilities to interpret and appl prn prescriptions and group protocols to individual patients safel and effectivel Motivation to reflect on medication as one aspect of care or therap and to relate it to the whole for each patient or client British Pharmacological Societ April

59 Appendix 4 Information for Student Nurses Going into Practice Placements Going out into clinical areas working with patients and staff is an essential element of our course. It allows ou to put the theor ou've been learning into practice and to get a feel for our future work environment. Mentors: The manager of the clinical area ou are going into will allocate ou a mentor. This must be a member of the nursing staff who has been approved to act in this role. The will be responsible for supporting and assessing ou and will deal with all matters regarding our learning experience in the clinical area. What to do first: A week before ou are due to go on practice placement ou should telephone the area and find out who our mentor is going to be. Arrange to go to the clinical area to meet our mentor before the practice placement starts. This will make our first da less daunting and will give ou the opportunit to speak to our mentor about what ou hope to achieve. It would be ver useful for ou to have our portfolio with ou at this initial meeting. Your mentor will also be able to tell ou about the hours ou are expected to work and the tpe of clothing ou should wear. If ou are required to wear a uniform ou should change into it once ou are at the practice placement. It is not acceptable to wear uniform outside of the working environment. Confidentialit: Patient/client confidentialit is vitall important at all times. If ou are at all unsure about this check with our tutor and mentor. Working Hours: It is expected that ou will normall work the same shift patterns as our mentor (refer to the student handbook for guidelines). You will be able to discuss an issues on working patterns with our mentor at the initial meeting. Students have supernumerar status, which means that ou can't be counted in the number of staff on dut. However, ou are expected to be in practice for 37½ hours a week and it is in our interest to work a variet of shift patterns in order to experience the full range of activit that occurs in the practice placement area. If this is going to cause an problems then ou need to discuss them with our mentor at the initial meeting. 58

60 Appendix 5 Placement Development Teams (PDTs) Placement Development Teams (PDTs) are based in Trust/placement settings to manage placements. In addition to supporting mentor preparation and updates, these teams are responsible for qualit assessment and monitoring and deliver of education in the workplace. A list of the personnel involved in PDTs is available from Programme Admin. Absence: It is our responsibilit to inform the appropriate people if ou are going to be absent from the practice area for sickness or an other reason (see student handbook for further information) ou must phone: the practice placement area as soon as possible once ou know that ou are going to be absent (write the number somewhere that's eas to find) ou will also need to phone our Universit base to report an absence: Truro Plmouth / Somerset Librar services for students on placement It can be difficult to access information whilst ou are on placement so the librar has developed some special services for ou. You can have books or copies of journal articles sent to ou or we can place reservations for ou so ou can collect books when ou come to Plmouth. This leaflet outlines what is available Services to students on placement A website Librar services for Facult of Health students on placement has been specificall set up for ou and is full of useful information and contacts both in the universit and hospital libraries as well as information on electronic resources that can be accessed wherever ou are. 59

61 Appendix 6 Student Complaints Procedure Introduction The Universit aims to provide high qualit services to students. Unfortunatel things occasionall go wrong and we need to be made aware when this happens so we can respond and ultimatel improve our services. Whatever our complaint ou can expect it to be dealt with promptl and fairl and in line with the Universit s policies and procedures. You will not be disadvantaged or treated less favourabl b making a complaint. How the Universit s Student Complaints Procedure operates Your complaint Stage 1: informal resolution Talk to the member of staff most directl involved. If ou are not sure who to approach UPSU Advice, our Programme Leader, our Facult Registr or the Complaints Office ma be able to point ou in the right direction Complaint resolved You remain dissatisfied Stage 2: make a formal written complaint Write to the Complaints Office. Your complaint will be sent to the relevant Senior Manager for investigation and response Complaint resolved You remain dissatisfied Stage 3: ask for referral to a Complaint Review Panel Write to the Complaints Office, saing wh ou are dissatisfied with the Senior Manager s response and ask for referral to a Complaint Review Panel Complaint resolved You remain dissatisfied Referral to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education 60

62 Is this the right procedure to use? Before deciding whether to use the complaints procedure, please read the following which ma help ou decide if this procedure is the most appropriate route to deal with our case. If ou are still not sure after ou have studied this information, please contact the Complaints Office (see footnote) which will be able to advise ou further. Are ou are dissatisfied with one of the services provided b the Universit? e.g. welfare and support; student funding (including scholarships and bursaries); course deliver; supervision, procedural errors. There are a number of was of making our views known other than using the complaints procedure: issues/problems can be raised at Programme Committees, School or Facult Graduate Affairs Committees and Staff/Student Liaison meetings where student representatives are available to help ou the Student Perception Questionnaire issued annuall is another opportunit to provide critical feedback. Most final stage undergraduate students are asked to participate in the National Student Surve, the results of which are used to help the Universit improve its support for the student learning environment consulting with UPSU Advice or the Student Union Officers who can deal with matters directl or raise issues in the Student Union/Universit Liaison Committee ou can raise the matter with the Dean of Students (Deanofstudents@plmouth.ac.uk) However in other instances it ma be more appropriate to pursue the matter as a complaint and to use the procedure described in this document. Do ou feel ou are being harassed? Make it clear that ou find the behaviour unacceptable and, if possible, ask the person responsible to stop. If ou need advice or support in making such a request or if the request is ignored ou can talk to one of the Universit s trained Harassment Advisers who will be able to act on our behalf (a list of advisers can be found on the Equalit and Diversit communit on the Universit portal/tulip). If informal discussion does not resolve the matter then ou can contact the Head of Equalit and Diversit for guidance. Unwillingness to approach the individual will not be interpreted as constituting consent nor will it prejudice an complaint that ma arise. Further information on harassment, including a list of Harassment Advisers, is available at or b ing equalit@plmouth.ac.uk Is our complaint is about alleged misconduct either b another student or a member of staff? Then ou should normall approach the appropriate Head of School, or in their absence another appropriate senior member of staff of the School. Your Facult Office, UPSU advice or the Complaints Office will be able to tell ou who this is if ou do not know. 61

63 Are ou dissatisfied with a decision made b an Assessment Board? e.g. progression from stage to stage; withdrawal on academic grounds; degree classification; decisions of Committees of Investigation about academic offences, etc. If this is the case ou need to use the Universit s appeal procedure. The appeal procedure is not described in this document, but ou can find out more information on the student portal (Tulip) or from our Facult. If ou submit an appeal which incorporates a complaint, our complaint will be investigated before our case is put to an Appeal Panel. Making a complaint If ou have decided that the complaints procedure is the most appropriate step to take, please read the following before going an further. Does the complaints procedure appl to ou? If ou are an undergraduate, taught postgraduate or research student currentl registered on Universit of Plmouth award (but not at a partner college) then ou can use this procedure. If ou are studing for an award at a partner College, ou must pursue our complaint using our College s procedure (details of which ou can obtain from our College). If ou have exhausted our College s procedure and ou are still dissatisfied ou can refer it to the Universit. Please note, though, that the Universit will not re-investigate our complaint from scratch; our review will be confined to consideration of whether (or not) the College has properl followed its stated procedures and has come to a reasonable conclusion. Who can make a complaint? We will normall deal onl with complaints made b current students. We will not normall consider complaint made after ou leave the Universit, unless ou have an exceptional reason wh ou could not have raised this at the time ou were registered (exceptional reasons ma include ou coming into possession of information on which a complaint is based subsequent to graduation; a complaint about references issued b or on behalf of the Universit; a complaint of a particularl sensitive nature). You cannot make an anonmous complaint. The Student Complaints Procedure can be used b an individual student or b someone acting on the student s behalf with their express written consent, or b a group of students. Complaints cannot be anonmous but we will alwas treat them with appropriate sensitivit; information will onl be disclosed to those who need to see it for the purposes of dealing with our complaint. What are the timeframes for making complaints? It is in our best interests to make a complaint as soon as possible, when events are clear in the minds of everone involved and when evidence ma be more readil available. The timeframes in which ou should normall lodge our complaint and the time in which the Universit will normall respond are given in the section on How does the complaints procedure operate? below. 62

64 The Universit acknowledges that it ma take time to investigate and resolve our complaint but we will endeavour to do so within the timescales indicated and to notif ou of an dela. How does the procedure operate? The flow chart on the front of this document sets out the steps in the complaints procedure. Step 1 Informal Resolution Discuss the problem with the member of staff most directl concerned. This might be our programme leader, supervisor(s) or a person responsible for a particular service. Man complaints can be dealt with informall through discussion and explanation. If ou are not sure to whom ou should make our complaint, ou can ask UPSU Advice or the Dean of Students for advice. It is important that ou make our complaint as soon as is reasonabl practicable, and normall within 20 working das of the occurrence of the problem. This increases the possibilit of sorting out the problem quickl. If ou dela this can restrict the chances of responding effectivel. You can seek advice if ou do not know whom to approach or ou are reluctant to approach the person responsible. Your Programme Leader, Facult Office or UPSU Advice ma be able to help ou. If, having approached the member of staff most directl concerned, ou remain dissatisfied ou should talk to our Head of School or the Head of the Service involved. It ma still be possible to deal with our complaint informall. Step 2 Formal Written Complaint If it has not been possible to resolve our complaint informall ou can lodge a formal written complaint via the Complaints Office. You should lodge our formal complaint normall no later than 20 working das after ou received the response to our informal complaint. A complaints form which ma help ou in stating our case is available (Attachment 2). UPSU Advice can advise ou if ou have an questions about how to complete the form. Please send our form to the Complaints Office, Universit Secretariat, Plmouth campus. You will receive a written acknowledgement of our complaint from the Complaints Office within 5 working das. Your complaint will be directed to the most appropriate senior manager within the Universit, who will then correspond directl with ou about our complaint. The acknowledgement letter that ou receive from the Complaints Office will give the name of this senior manager. If ou submit our complaint direct to the Vice-Chancellor, Deput Vice-Chancellor or other senior manager without having pursued informal resolution first, it will be referred (via the Complaints Office) to the appropriate member of staff (e.g. the Head of School). 63

65 You will receive a letter from the Complaints Office advising ou that this has happened and the name of the person dealing with the complaint (e.g. the relevant Head of School) You can expect to receive a written acknowledgement of our complaint from the relevant senior manager normall within 5 working das of it being sent to them b the Complaints Office. The senior manager will then investigate the case. The investigation will include discussing the complaint with an individual directl concerned with the service or action complained of. You should get a full response from them within 20 working das. If it seems possible that a response will be delaed ou will be told wh e.g. the complexit of the case, staff unavailabilit through illness or professional commitments etc. and ou will be kept informed of progress. You will be told of the outcome of the investigation and what, if an, action is to be taken. For example, our complaint ma be referred back to a Programme Committee or Facult Graduate Affairs Committee for action. You ma receive an apolog or a statement on how sstems will be improved for the future. If the Universit intends to take no further action ou will be told wh not. Step 3: Referral to a Complaints Panel It is possible that even after ou receive a full written response to our complaint ou are not satisfied with the outcome. If this is the case ou should write to the Complaints Office (Universit Secretariat, Plmouth campus) explaining wh ou remain dissatisfied and what ou would consider to be a satisfactor response. You cannot simpl reiterate the original formal complaint. You will receive an acknowledgement of our letter within 5 working das of it being received b the Complaints Office. Depending on the nature and cause of our dissatisfaction the Complaints Office ma have to conduct further investigations in order to respond to an specific issues ou raise. If we need ou to provide further information, such a request will be put in writing to ou. It is in our best interests to respond to such a request as promptl as ou can, so that the investigation of our case is not delaed undul. Once the Complaints Office has completed an further investigations a Universit Complaint Panel will consider our case and make recommendations. The Panel will meet within 20 working das of the conclusion of the Complaints Office s investigations and will be a group of 2 staff and 1 Student Union Officer taken from the Universit Complaints Board. A Complaint Panel will normall review a complaint on the basis of the documentation onl; a hearing will onl be arranged if the Panel believes it is. Further information on the operation and outcomes of Complaint Panels can be found as Attachment 1. Referral to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education The Universit hopes the above procedure will satisfactoril resolve our problem. Ver occasionall this ma not be the case; in this instance, ou are able to ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) to review our complaint and the wa in which it has been handled b the Universit. You can onl refer our complaint to the OIA when ou have exhausted the Universit s complaints procedure. 64

66 At that point, ou will be sent a letter b the Universit confirming that the institution s procedure has concluded; this will contain information on how to contact the OIA. Further information is available at (or b contacting the Complaints Office on ). 65

67 Attachment 1 Complaint Panel Preliminaries A Complaint Panel will consider a formal complaint onl after a substantive written response has been provided b the appropriate Senior Manager and the complainant remains dissatisfied. The complainant will write to the Complaints Office indicating the nature of their complaint; what remed or explanation the have sought; wh the remain dissatisfied. The Complaints Office will then review the case; gather together all the relevant documentation; compile a summar report of what investigations have been undertaken and their findings. The report and documentation will be considered b the Panel within 20 working das of its compilation. Where a complaint is against a named member of staff, that individual has a right to provide a written statement in response to the complaint and to have that statement included in the documentation submitted to the Panel. Constitution of the Panel A Complaints Board has been formed from staff from the Faculties and services and officers from the Student Union who are experienced in handling complaints. A Complaint Panel will be formed from members of the Board, comprising two members of Universit staff, one of whom will act as chair, and one member of the Students Union. Panel members will not be from the Facult or service under complaint. The Panel will be constituted taking into account issues of gender, ethnicit and other equal opportunit considerations where possible. This ma require augmentation of the membership of the Panel. The complainant will be advised of the constituenc of the Panel and of the documentation to be referred to it. Workings of the Panel The Panel will be provided with the summar report and the other relevant documentation collated b the Complaints Office and will meet to consider the complaint. If the complaint deals with complex or specialist matters, access to relevant expertise will be made available. The Panel ma come to conclusions and make recommendations on the basis of the documentation alone: there is no requirement for a hearing to be held. If, however, after considering the written material the Panel concludes that a face-toface hearing would provide a better understanding of the issues, this will be arranged b the Complaints Office (see section on Hearings below). Hearings If a hearing is considered the Complaints Office will inform the Senior Manager who provided the formal response at Step 2 that the or their designated deput will be required to attend the hearing to explain the outcome of their original investigation. The Complainant and Senior Manager will be permitted to arrange for 66

68 appropriate witnesses to attend the hearing to support the presentation of their case. The Complainant, the Senior Manager and an witnesses can be accompanied b a friend or representative. Depending on the requirements for attendance at the hearing the Complaints Office will make arrangements for a suitable time and venue for all participants, normall giving 5 working das notice for preparation for the hearing. If having called a hearing the Complainant or witnesses do not attend the Panel can elect to proceed without their presence. The Panel will determine its own procedures at the hearing but this will normall include interviewing the Complainant, the Senior Manager and an witnesses. A record of the proceedings of the hearing will be kept b the Complaints Office, which will be treated in confidence amongst the participants. Outcomes The Complaint Panel will consider its conclusions and recommendations in private. A number of options are available to the Panel, including: To endorse the response of the Senior Manager. To ask the Complaints Office to undertake further investigations to assist the Panel in coming to a conclusion. To uphold the complaint in whole or in part and make suggestions as to how the situation might be remedied which might include compensation. Compensation ma be financial, but must reflect loss (i.e. not punitive damage) The outcome and the reasons for it will be communicated in writing as soon as possible to the complainant and the Senior Manager b the Complaints Office. The complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter b the Complaints Office once the Universit s complaints procedure has been exhausted, together with information about the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. The Senior Manager should advise all members of staff involved in the complaint of the outcome, in an appropriate manner, while recognising that the outcome relates to personal data under the Data Protection Act and is therefore subject to the confidentialit provisions of that legislation. 67

69 Attachment 1 Universit of Plmouth Student Complaints Procedure Formal Complaint Form When to use this form If ou have raised our complaint informall but remain dissatisfied with the outcome, ou can use this form to lodge a formal complaint. You should also refer to Universit s Student Complaints Procedure, which explains how our formal complaint will be dealt with. A cop of the procedure is attached to this form. If ou have alread had a response to a formal complaint and wish our case to be referred to a Complaints Panel, ou do not need to fill this form in again: please refer to the Complaints Procedure for advice about what ou need to do. About ou Name (in full): Registration number: Course: Facult: Stage: Are ou studing at a Partner College? If so, please state which College: Address at which ou can be contacted about our complaint: Please let us know if our address changes while our complaint is ongoing. Please indicate an periods when we will be unable to contact ou about our complaint: e.g. holidas: Telephone number: /Fax: 68